Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jul 30: The number of people opting for third dose of Coronavirus vaccination in the state has increased considerably after the union government made it free for people in the age group of 18 to 59 years.
In the last 15 days 15.8 lac people have received the precautionary or booster dose. The third dose began to be administered from April 10. At that time it was announced that it is free only for frontline warriors and senior citizens. A fee of Rs 225 was fixed for people in the age group of 18 to 59 years. But most of the people did not take it as it was not available in government hospitals and also not free.
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From April 10 to July 15 only 3.9 lac people in Karnataka took the third dose. Only after the union government made the dose free the average jumped to one lac people per day.
At present, the third dose of vaccination against Covid is administered in more than 3000 health centres around Karnataka. Those who have completed two months after taking a second dose can get the same. This free dose will be available till September 30.
The union government has reduced the gap of third dose from nine months to six months. Accordingly, the number of those who are yet to get a third dose has increased to 3.8 crore in Karnataka. So far only 19.7 lac people have received the third dose.