The health ministry said the free immunization program for first, second and health workers, frontline workers and people aged 60 and above through government immunization centers will continue and accelerate.
Only adults who have completed nine months of administration of the second dose of the COVID vaccine will be eligible for the precautionary dose. The definition of ‘precautionary dose’ will remain the same, meaning that mixing doses of different jabs will not be allowed.
India has so far given 185 crore doses of Kovid vaccines, according to which covin Dashboard. Cowishield India accounted for 83.3% of all doses administered, while Covaxin accounted for about 16%.
“Adding an extra layer of protection! Precautionary doses will be available for age group 18+ at private immunization centers from April 10, 2022. All 18+ who have completed nine months of second dose are eligible for the precautionary dose will be,” Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted.
In June last year, the Center had imposed an administration fee of Rs 150 per dose for private immunization centres. The Center directed private immunization centers not to charge more than Rs 780 for Covashield, Rs 1,410 for Covaxin and Rs 1,145 for Sputnik V, which includes taxes and administration charges.
For private centres, Covishield costs Rs 600 per dose, while Covaxin costs Rs 1,200 and Rs. Sputnik V Rs. 948 per dose (excluding GST). Biologicals E has said that it will price Corbevax at Rs 800 per dose (excluding all taxes).
Following the announcement, vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) said the precautionary dose of its Kovidshield vaccine would cost Rs 600 per shot for eligible individuals. Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has not yet indicated the price of the booster dose in the private market.
Currently, about 96% of the population of the country 15 years and above have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, while about 83% of the same age group have received both.
TOI had first reported on February 17 that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) was reviewing the data and was likely to take a call on a booster dose extension soon.
The decision to open the third dose to all adults is significant as several countries, including China, are seeing a fresh jump in infections. Some states of India are also seeing a rise in positive cases, although overall the situation is under control.
The move is also being seen as an additional step to ensure safety in view of the new XE variant, though experts are not seeing it as a major concern. However, since most of the population of 15 years and above has already received two doses and there are enough vaccines also available, the decision was taken so that those who want to take the third shot can buy it, said an official.
This development is expected to clear the inventory lying with vaccine manufacturers. Both SII and Bharat Biotech had recently stopped production of the Covid-19 vaccine due to low demand and inventory pile-up.
Recently, researchers from Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) had told TOI that all adults should be given a booster dose of COVID vaccines as research shows immunity from the primary two doses of the vaccines after eight months. is significantly reduced and the third dose may protect against omicrons. and future versions of concerns (VOCs).
Meanwhile, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla welcomed the government’s move to allow precautionary doses of the vaccine to all people above the age of 18 years at private immunization centres, saying it would provide long-term protection against the coronavirus and help in travel. It will be easy