Maharashtra is all set to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose from January 10 for 60+, healthcare and front-line workers.
State and Family Bureau Maharashtra has issued action points to be followed in the booster dose vaccination drive.
- The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended the administration that for HCWs, FLWS and 60 plus years with co-morbidities same vaccine that has been administered for previous two doses would be given as the precaution dose to the eligible beneficiaries.
- If beneficiary fully vaccinated with Covishield vaccine, then he/she will receive Covishield vaccine for precaution dose. Similarly if beneficiary fully vaccinated with Covaxin vaccine, then he/she will receive Covasin vaccine for precaution dose
- All persons aged 60 years and above with co-morbidities will not be required to produce submit any certificate from doctor, at the time of administration of precaution dose, such persons are expected to obtain the advice of their doctor before deciding to avail the precaution dose.
- The prioritization and sequencing of this precaution would be based on the completion of 9 months i.e. 39 weeks from the date of administration of second dose.
- All such HCWS and FLWs who are presently registered on the Co-WIN system as citizens and aged less than 60 years, will have to get appropriately assigned as HCW/FLW to receive precaution dose. This facility will be only available at Government Vaccination Centers in on-site mode.
- Private Hospital functioning as Covid-19 Vaccination Centers can vaccinate their staff (Doctors, Paramedics etc) at their hospital itself. They may choose to bear the cost of the vaccine doses and give the precaution dose to their staff who are eligible and due, free of cost or they may charge for it.
- The administration of precaution dose to HCWS and FLWs of Armed Forces, Special Forces under Ministry of Home Affairs and Cabinet Secretariat may also be facilitated as was done during their primary two dose vaccination.
- Co-WIN system will send SMS to such beneficiaries for availing the precaution dose when the dose becomes due. Registration and appointment services will be accessed through both online and onsite (walk in) mode.
The State has administered more than 13.73 crore doses so far. 89% of the adult population has received at least one dose whereas 60% have been fully vaccinated. More than 18% of the adolescent aged 15 to 18 years have also been vaccinated with first dose so far.
