Free Covid Booster Jabs For 18-59 Age Group From July 15 At Govt Centres

The main objective of the drive is to boost the uptake of precaution doses and it is being held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark 75th anniversary of India's Independence.

A health worker administers a dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Gurugram.

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: People in the age group of 18-59 years will get free Covid-19 precaution jabs at government vaccination centres, under a 75-day special campaign that is likely to begin from July 15, news agency PTI quoted official sources as saying. As per the report, the main objective of the drive is to boost the uptake of precaution doses and it is being held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75^th anniversary of India's Independence.   

According to an official source, less than 1 percent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age bracket, and around 26 percent of the estimated 16 crore eligible population aged 60 and above, and healthcare and frontline workers have been administered the booster dose so far.    

"A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody levels wane around six months after the primary vaccination with both doses... giving a booster increases the immune response," PTI quoted the official as saying.

#WATCH | Union Minister Anurag Thakur says, "...It has been decided that from 15th July 2022 till the next 75 days, all citizens above 18 years of age will be given booster doses free of cost...This facility will be available at all government centres..."#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/kZSOqHZQLg

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2022

"The government is therefore planning to start a special drive for 75 days during which individuals aged between 18 and 59 years will be administered precaution doses for free at government vaccination centres starting from July 15," he added.

Notably, last week, the Union Health Ministry reduced the gap between the second and precaution Covid vaccine dose for all beneficiaries from nine to six months, following a recommendation from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).