COVID booster dose for all age groups to be available for free in Odisha!

Bhubaneswar: Amidst the rise in COVID-19 cases in Odisha, Health Secretary Nikunja Dhal today informed that the Centre, if required, will be urged to make precautionary dose available for all age group free of cost.

Speaking to mediapersons, the senior Health official here said, Currently, frontline warriors and those aged above 60 years in the state are being given the booster dose for free.

“A high-level meeting of the Health Department has been scheduled this week. Discussions on precautionary dose will be held at the meeting. If required, we will request the Centre to ensure that people of all age group take the booster dose free of cost,” he added.

The official further said COVID-19 cases are on rise in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri, though the situation is under control now. Most of the infectees have mild symptoms.

Also Read: Precautionary vaccine dose will be same jab administered before: Govt

“Currently, the hospitalization rate stands at 1 % as 99 % patients are under home isolation. The number of testing has also been increased to 15,000 from 10,000 a day. Efforts are afoot to increase the number further to 25,000 a day. Besides, the gap between second and third dose has been reduced to six months,” he added.