Free Covid-19 Booster Shots For the Next 75 Days
All adults will be able to get free booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine at government centres under a special drive over the next 75 days which will be starting from Friday 15th July, officials s
According to government data, 96 per cent of India's population has been administered the first dose of the Covid vaccine while 87 per cent of the people have taken both doses. On April 10 this year, India began administering precautionary doses of COVID-19 vaccines. So far, less than 1 per cent of the targeted population of 77 crores in the 18-59 age group have been administered the booster dose. It is because until now, the booster dose was only free for the population above 60 years old with prior comorbidities along with the Healthline workers.
However now, all adults will be able to get free booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine at government centers under a special drive over the next 75 days which will be starting from Friday 15th July as part of the government's 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence.
A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) have suggested that antibody levels fade out around six months after both doses have been given. Giving a booster shot increases the immune response in the body. The Union Health Ministry also last week reduced the gap between the second and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for all from nine to six months. All these steps are being taken to ensure a maximum number of booster shots to be administered to everyone above 18 years.
