PANJIM: A total of 79,655 adults have been given booster doses since July 15 even as the Goa government has set the target of vaccinating 10.50 lakh people in the State with precaution or doses by September 30 this year.
Informing this to media persons on Monday, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that since July 15, a total of 79,655 adults were administered precautionary doses. Of these 45,883 booster doses were given to the population in the age of 60 years and above while 36,772 persons the age of 18 to 59 years received the jab, he said that the ongoing vaccination would be expedited.
Rane said that the State will launch an extensive booster dose vaccination drive by involving all MLAs, government departments, NGOs etc. He said that adequate awareness will also be made appealing to the eligible people to take precautionary doses commonly known as booster doses free of cost.
The Government of India has announced a special drive for 75 days, starting July 15 wherein free booster doses are being given to all adults free. The drive will continue till September 30. The precaution dose will be of the same vaccine, which has been used for the administration of the first and second doses.
Rane said that he convened a meeting of chief officers on Tuesday while, he will write to all municipal chairpersons and councillors to cooperate in urban areas to organise vaccination camps.
Secretary (Health) YVVJ Rajasekhar, Goa Medical College (GMC) Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Director of Health Services Dr Geeta Kakodkar and other officials were also present.
