New Delhi

The precaution dose will now be available to the 18 plus population group from April 10 at private COVID-19 vaccination centers, said the Union Health Ministry on Friday. All those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose, would be eligible for the precaution dose, the ministry said in a statement. This facility would be available in all private vaccination centers.

India started administering precaution doses to frontline workers, healthcare workers, and those above the age of 60 years with comorbidities on January 10 this year. Later, on March 16, the vaccination drive for precaution dose was extended to all adults above the age of 60 years.

The Health Ministry informed that so far, about 96 percent of all 15+ population in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose while about 83 percent of 15+ population has received both doses of the vaccine.

More than 2.4 crore precaution doses have also been administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those above 60 years of age.

A total of 45 percent of 12 to 14 years age group have also received the first dose. They are being administered the Corbevax vaccine, which is manufactured by Biological E.

The ongoing free vaccination programme through government vaccination centers for the first and second dose to the eligible population as well as precaution dose to healthcare workers, frontline workers and those aged above 60 years would continue and would be accelerated, the ministry said.