India announces precautionary COVID doses for above 60 category, here's what you need to do

In the midst of growing worry over rising COVID cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not long ago put out that vaccination against COVID-19 for kids between 15-18 years will begin from January 3, while "precaution dose" for healthcare, frontline workers and those above 60 would be dispensed from January 10.

The declaration was made by the PM in the time of rising Covid cases linked to the Omicron variant of the virus. During his address, PM Modi stated that precaution dose will also be available for citizens above 60 years and with comorbidities on the advice of their doctor starting January 10.

According to the announcement, people aged 60 years and above will be given a third dose of the Covid vaccine from January 10 and if they suffer from certain co-morbid conditions.

Those above the age of 60 years, who are entitled for Covid ‘precautionary doses’, would be in need of ‘comorbidities certificate’ to receive the booster shot, as maintained by Dr RS Sharma, chief executive officer at National Health Authority.

Furthermore, Dr Sharma said the porcedure will remain the same that was followed when the Covid vaccination was opened for citizens of 45-plus category, who suffered from perticular co-morbidities.

The precaution dose announced by the Prime Minister alludes to a third dose based on 20 partcular comorbidities, which includes cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stem cell transplant, kidney disease or on dialysis, cirrhosis, cancer, sickle cell disease, and current extended use of steroids or immunosuppressant medicines.

Those entitled for booster dose can upload the certificate of comorbidity, signed by any registered medical practitioner, on Co-WIN 2.0 while self-registering. They can also bring a hard copy of it to the vaccination centres.

Although, the government’s technical panel is likely to decide on the gap between the 2nd Covid vaccine shot and precaution dose, as per sources the interval between the second dose of COVID vaccine and the third is most likely to be 9 to 12 months.

The essential part of the gaps for the vaccines presently being used in India's inoculation drive (Covishield and Covaxin) is being put together, and an ultimate resolve over this will be taken shortly, they said.

Over, 61 per cent of India's adult population has received both doses of the vaccine. likewise, about 90 per cent of the adult population has received the first dose.

With the despensation of 32,90,766 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, the COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone past 141.37 crore, as per reports.

Also Read: COVID-19: Over 148.37 cr vaccine doses provided to States, UTs so far