Given the rise in fresh infections, the low intake of precautionary doses is a cause for concern.
Given the rise in fresh infections, the low intake of precautionary doses is a cause for concern.
The Tamil Nadu health department has sought the approval of the central government to provide free booster doses to eligible persons in the age group of 18-59 years at government immunization centers with available stock of Covishield and Covaxin instead of private immunization centers at prescribed rates.
As of now, only health workers, frontline workers and persons above 60 years of age are eligible for a precautionary dose at any COVID-19 vaccination centre, including free vaccination at government centres. The rest – people in the 18-59 age group – can get booster shots at prescribed rates at private centers.
Till June 20, 12,25,301 precautionary doses have been given in the state. Given the rise in fresh infections and weakened immunity, the low offtake was a cause for concern.
A few weeks ago, TS Selvavinayagam, director of public health and preventive medicine, had written to the Union health ministry seeking permission to provide free precautionary doses to people in the age group of 18-59. Then, there were 69,01,860 doses of Covishield and 25,09,785 doses of Covaxin in the state. The current stock was 55,24,830 doses of Covishield and 21,29,880 doses of Covaxin.
The official said that he had requested the central government to allow the use of available vaccines for the 18-59 age group as a precautionary dose. This was because they felt that paid vaccines for this age group would affect booster vaccination coverage among a significant segment of the population, making it vulnerable to infection.
In fact, the health department also sought permission to vaccinate free of cost to 15-17 age group who have not received the first dose at government immunization centers with available stock of Corbevax instead of at private ones.
Though the request was made a few weeks back, the health department has not received any response from the Centre. “But there are indications that it will not be approved,” an official source said.