Booster dose: Centre's decision will reduce wastage of 'near expiry' vaccines, says Private CVCs

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Booster dose: Centre's decision will reduce wastage of 'near expiry' vaccine, says private CVCs

The Union Health Ministry on Friday announced that the precautionary dose of Covid vaccine will be made available at private centres to the 18-plus age group citizens from April 10. The private covid vaccination centres (PCVCs) in Mumbai welcomed the move and stated that the decision will help reduce the wastage of the 'near expiry' Covid vaccine. It will also immunise the citizens against any further Covid wave in the country.

In a statement, the Union health ministry on Friday states, "All those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months since the administration of the second dose will be eligible for the precautionary dose. This facility will be available at all private vaccination centres."

Dr Gautam Bhanushali, the chief coordinator of private hospitals for vaccination and Covid-19 in Mumbai told mid-day, "It is a welcome move. We had been demanding to make the booster dose available to all for a few months as we have an excessive stock of Covid vials. The decision will help reduce the chances of wastage of the 'near expiry' vials. It will also benefit those planning to travel to European countries, where booster doses are mandatory."

Dr Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says, "The number of Covid cases in India has reduced, but in some countries, they are on a rise. The virus variants are unpredictable, thus the idea of a precautionary dose for adults is a good decision. The entire population, however, may not be able to afford vaccination at the private hospitals, so it should be made available at the government institutes too."

Joy Chakraborty, COO of Hinduja Hospital, told mid-day. "The move will help protect the population from any further Covid wave in the country by boosting the immunity. The chances of expiration of the doses would also be very less."

According to the Union Health Ministry, as of April 8, 2022 more than 187.03 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States and Union Territories (UTs) so far free of cost and through the direct state procurement category. More than 16.36 crore balance and unutilized covid vaccine doses are still available with the States and UTs to be administered.

The health ministry statement further said, about 96 per cent of all in the 15-plus age group have received at least one Covid-19 dose so far while about 83 per cent of the 15-plus population has received both doses.

More than 2.4 crore precautionary doses have also been administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers and those in the 60-plus age group. The ongoing free vaccination programme through Government CVCs for the first and second dose to the eligible population as well as precautionary dose to healthcare workers, frontline workers and 60-plus population will continue and be accelerated.