Booster dose of Covid-19 in Assam from today

Those who took the second dose on or before April 10, 2021, can receive the third dose on Monday

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Covid-19 vaccination of the booster dose for frontline workers and 60+ comorbid people will start from tomorrow in the state along with the rest of the nation. Frontline workers are doctors, other medicos, police personnel and other security personnel.

The state Health Department and NHM completed preparations for this vaccination drive. Sources in NHM and Health department said that the rush for the booster dose would be less in the first few days as the gap between the second dose and the booster dose has to be nine months.

According to sources, the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College and Hospital) will open a separate counter to administer the booster dose. Health Minister Keshab Mahanta will launch the booster drive tomorrow.

Talking to The Sentinel, GMCH Principal Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya said, "Since the Government of India has given a nine-month gap between the second dose and the booster dose, only people who took the second dose on or before April 10, 2021, can receive the third dose tomorrow. This way, those who took the second dose on April 11, 2021, will be eligible for the booster dose on January 11, those who took the second dose on April 12, 2021, will be eligible for the booster dose on January 12, and so on. The rush for the booster dose will be slightly high from April. Covid vaccination started in the state on January 16, 2021.

"We will administer the booster dose to frontline workers and 60+ citizens with comorbidities. Comorbid people are cancer, kidney, hypertension and heavy diabetic patients. Such people will have to come with their supporting medical documents for vaccination."

Meanwhile, the Health department sources claim to have adequate stock of Covid-19 vaccines – 75 lakh – till this morning.

Till 10 pm on Saturday, the medical fraternity in the state administered 3,89,42,023 doses of Covid vaccines – 2,26,07,480 first doses and 1,63,34,543 second doses.

The booster doses will be what people took in their first and second doses. A person receiving Covishield as the first and second doses will have to take it (Covishield) as the booster, and those who took Covaxin as the first and second doses will have to take it (Covaxin) as their booster dose.

Also read:  Assam Govt to Provide COVID Booster Doses to Frontline Workers, Says GMCH Superintendent

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