COVID vaccine booster doses for all adults from April 10

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Friday that it has been decided to make available precaution doses of COVID vaccines to the entire 18+ population group at private vaccination centres. This will start from Sunday, April 10.

All those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months from the administration of the second dose will be eligible for the booster, said a press release from the ministry. This facility will be available only at private vaccination centres.

So far, about 96 per cent of all 15+ population in the country have received at least one COVID vaccine dose while about 83 per cent of 15+ population has received both the doses, the statement further said. More than 2.4 crore precaution doses have also been administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers and 60+ population group, it added.

Around 45 per cent of 12 to 14 years age group have also received the first dose.

The on-going free vaccination programme through government vaccination centres for the first and second dose to the eligible population as well as precaution dose to healthcare workers, frontline workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated, the statement said.