Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major decision, the Goa government has reduced the duration between the two anti-COVID vaccine doses, to six weeks as against the set protocol of 12 weeks, for the teaching and non-teaching staff of educational institutions. The move comes at a time, when colleges have been directed to resume physical classes, while a decision on re-opening schools is expected after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Speaking to media persons, COVID vaccination program consultant Dr Anup Netravalkar said that over 95 per cent of the eligible population has been vaccinated with at least one dose, while 35 per cent have been fully vaccinated.
On reducing the gap between doses for teaching and non-teaching staff, Netravalkar said, “Currently, the gap is of 12 weeks, that is 84 days. Most of the teaching and non-teaching staff might have been already vaccinated fully or with first dose,” he said.
For those, who have not taken any dose, a special drive will be held on September 5, on the occasion of Teachers Day, he said.
Foreigners residing in Goa have also been granted the opportunity to get themselves immunised at government vaccination centers, on production of their passport. A vaccination holiday has been declared on September 10 and 11 in view of Chaturthi.
Netravalkar said that following directions from the Central government, the State has also decided to immunise foreign nationals currently in Goa. “Also, non-Goans, who are here, and have taken their first dose, can get their second dose at any centre or private hospital,” he said.
