The paid precautionary COVID-19 doses for all adults across the nation will be made available from this Sunday. The vaccines will be available at private centers only, according to Indian health ministry. Till now precautionary doses or ‘booster shots’ of the vaccines were available for adults above the age of 60, and frontline staff in India.
It should be noted that vaccination programme for 60+ and front-line workers will remain free. On Friday, the Centrel Government issued a notice that read – “Ongoing free vaccination programme through government vaccination centers for first and second dose as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated.”
The government’s notice also noted that as much as 96% of the above 15 population in India has been inoculated with at least one COVID-19 dose while about 83% of the population has received both the COVID-19 doses.
The news comes just days after the Omicron variant XE marked its presence in India as well. The Omicron XE is a combination of two Omicron sub-lineages – the BA.1 and BA.2.
The Facts of the Matter
The Indian Health Ministry announced a new chapter in its ‘largest vaccination drive’. From April 10, Sunday, the precautionary third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for the Indian population above the age of 18 will be made available at all private vaccination centers across India.
The notice floated on Friday noted – “The on-going free vaccination programme through Government Vaccination Centers for first and second dose to the eligible population as well as the Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers, and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated”.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming chapter of the vaccination drive:
Where can I get the precautionary dose of the COVID-19? Is it Free?
According to the health ministry’s notice, all the persons above 18 wlll be eligible for the precautionary third dose. It should be noted that only those who have completed the nine months or 39 weeks of already having their second COVID-19 vaccine dose will be eligible for the third dose.
Unlike the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the precautionary third dose for the population above the 18+ population will be charged. According to the reports, Serum Institute of India will be making Covishield available for Rs. 650.
In all likelihood, CoWin platform will be updated with the private centers that will be providing the third dose of the vaccine.
Which vaccine will I be administered as the precautionary dose?
According to reports, vaccination centers will administer the same vaccine as the precautionary dose as the one administered to the beneficiaries the first two times. It means that if a beneficiary received Covaxin as the first and second dose, will receive Covaxin as their precautionary dose. Similarly, the person who received Covishield as their first two doses, will be administered the Covishied doses.
Who will be eligible for a free COVID-19 precautionary dose?
The Indian government has not moved from its original policy of inoculating the population above 60 years, the healthcare workers, and frontline staff for free.
Can I walk-in to get my precautionary dose?
Yes, in case you don’t want to book an appointment for your precautionary dose through CoWin platform, you can walk-in at any private vaccination center to get your precautionary dose.
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