State lags behind in administering precautionary dose
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 17 2022: Even though the ministry of health and family welfare had announced Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav campaign for precautionary doses on July 15, which will continue till September 30, the state is lagging behind in the inoculation drive as well as awareness activities.

So far, India has administered over 2 billion vaccine doses.

As per official report, 97 per cent of the total population in the age group of 12 to 17 years have received the first dose and 89 per cent had received the second dose.

The ministry launched vaccination drive for taking the precautionary dose for 18-plus population with a gap of 6 months or 26 weeks after getting the second dose.

The Centre had also on August 10 approved Biological E's Cor-beVax as a precaution dose for those above 18 years, who are fully vaccinated with either Covishield or Covaxin, as a heterologous booster vaccine.

However, the vaccine is awaiting the WHO's emergency use listing.

Consequently, the directorate of health and family welfare instructed DIOs and DFWOs to accelerate administration of precautionary dose.

However, the vaccination rate is low in the state when compared with the national average, which indicates low awareness activities and lack of commitment on the part of the authority.

Comment