Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a ‘precautionary dose’ for people aged 60 and those with concomitant diseases at a time when several experts are recommending a booster dose in view of the Omicron COVID variant.
Appreciating the scientific community for their tireless effort in the fight against the pandemic, PM Modi while addressing the nation said, “Our scientific community has carefully worked out every detail of the vaccine, which dose to take, when etc. Now the scientific community has arrived. On the auspicious occasion of Christmas and the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, about some important decisions that I want to share with you.
PM Modi also said, people with comorbidities and above 60 years of age will be eligible for the precautionary dose from January 10, 2022 on the recommendation of their doctors.
He further announced that vaccination for children in the age group of 15-18 years would start from January 3, 2022.
Modi also said that understanding the seriousness of COVID19 in India, 141 crore doses have been given.
“More than 90% of the eligible population has been vaccinated with the first dose of vaccine.”
He said that in view of the new version, the number of infected due to the new Omron version of Kovid is increasing in many countries of the world.
“I appeal to everyone not to panic but be alert, and use masks and sanitize hands regularly”
The PM further said, India has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen supported beds, 1.40 lakh ICU beds, 90,000 pediatric ICU and non-ICU beds. We have more than 3,000 working PSA Oxygen Plants, 4 Lakhs Oxygen Cylinders have been distributed across the country
According to the Union Health Ministry, India has registered 7,189 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the number of Omicron variants of corona virus has reached 415 across the country.
Amid the omicron scare and rise in cases in various parts of the country, the Union Health Ministry on Saturday said multi-disciplinary central teams would be deployed in ten identified states.
In an official statement, the Union Health Ministry said, “It has been decided to deploy multi-disciplinary central teams in 10 identified states, some of which are either omicron and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases or slowing down.” Reporting on vaccination.
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