With an aim to increase the uptake of the precautionary dose of COVID vaccine among the eligible adult population, Himachal Pradesh government will distribute free booster doses for 18 years and above from December 23 to 28, 2022, in Shimla, news agency ANI reported.
Chief Medical Officer, Shimla on Thursday announced that the "Free Covid19 'Precautionary dose' for 18 years and above will be given at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital and Indira Gandhi Medical College between 10am & 4pm from 23rd December to 28th December," ANI reported.
According to MyGov.in, India has been reporting a "steady drop" in Covid-19 instances, with the average number at 129 and a daily positive rate of 0.01 percent as of December 22. According to PTI, there has been a "sudden increase of cases" caused by "a new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant" witnessed in Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and China.
Earlier in an issued statement, the Ministry of Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan had stated that “the public health challenge of Covid-19 still persists around the world with around 35 lakh cases reported weekly."
Furthermore, according to a PTI report, three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 have been found in India so far. Various states have increased their vigilance after a Covid review meeting headed by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya indicated that, while there has been no overall rise in Covid caseload, there is a need for continuing monitoring to keep track of current and new varieties.
(With Inputs From Agencies)