STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: People of Assam do not seem to be keen to take the precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Till today evening, the number of eligible beneficiaries who have been administered the precautionary dose is only 3,89,262.
Meanwhile, according to health department data, till today, a total of 4,47,96,254 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. This includes first dose, second dose and precautionary dose. The government is administering precautionary dose free of cost to people above 60 years of age and fronline workers. Other eligible beneficiaries have to take the precautionary dose in private hospitals. In a bid to encourage people to take the precautionary dose, the government recently decreased the price of the precautionary dose of the vaccine.
Talking to The Sentinel, Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent Prof (Dr) Achyut Ch Baishya said, "During the second wave, we saw that the death rate was low among double vaccinated persons infected with the virus. A few death cases were reported but those patients had comorbidities. Most of the COVID fatalities were unvaccinated persons.
"The overall uptake of the precautionary dose has not been enthusiastic in the State. But it is advisable to take the precautionary dose and stay safe. In Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), we are administering precautionary dose to persons above 60 years of age and frontline workers."
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