As Covid rears its ugly head across India, including Gujarat, the state has an unhurried momentum of booster doses. Especially in the paid category, the pace of providing booster doses is slow. Nearly two-thirds of the eligible population above the age of 60 years got the jab.
On the contrary, only 1.5% of the eligible population between 18-60 years took a shot, not offered free of cost by the government. As per the Gujarat health department sources, the booster dose is available in a private hospital for a fee. However, Gujarat covered 99% of the 18 and above population with both the shots.
The booster dose is complimentary for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and senior citizens. On the other hand, it costs ₹225, excluding service costs for people between 18-60 years in private hospitals.
On Tuesday, Gujarat reported the highest tally of 72 cases in 95 days. In addition to this, 61% of cases were from Ahmedabad. The active COVID cases in Gujarat are 363 after the discharge of 5 patients. However, it is the highest in 81 days and people have been ignorant towards the booster jab.
Further, the cases remained above 50 in the last four days. The single-digit COVID cases gave hope that the virus might vanish. However, the current situation narrates a different story.
The officials have made sure that out of the 34.88 lakhs doses, they administered 94% to senior citizens. Nevertheless, the exact percentages and figures of the booster shot drive are not available yet. However, they informed the media that even though the working class is prone to cases, people between 18 to 50 years are fully vaccinated. Thus, the state health department is focusing on the group at risk.
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