JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot demanded booster dose for people with co-morbidity in all age groups and children to prevent another wave of Covid.
He said, children from the age of five are being vaccinated in many countries. The central government should start vaccination of children in India soon and increase the scope of booster dose because patients with comorbidities are found in all age groups, he said.
Gehlot was addressing the review meeting of Covid vaccination through video conference from his residence on Friday.
The country has a large child population. They must be vaccinated and protecting their health should be our top priority.
Experts believe that after a certain time, the effect of the vaccine starts decreasing and patients of diabetes, hypertension, BP, heart related issues are found in all age groups.
The chief minister said that in such a situation, the central government should allow booster doses to all such people irrespective of age. Currently, only such people above 60 are allowed 'precautionary dose’.
Gehlot claimed that Rajasthan became a model state in the country in terms of vaccination. So far, more than 92% people above 18 years of age have been given the first dose of the vaccine and about 78% people have been given the second dose. In just four days, more than 30% of adolescent in the age group of 15 to 18 years have been vaccinated. He directed that those who have been deprived of vaccination till now get their vaccines to achieve the target of 100%.
He said that from the members of the council of ministers to the panchayat level, all the public representatives, officers-employees and voluntary organisations should motivate people for vaccination and make people aware of following the Covid protocol.
He said that post-Covid complications have been seen among those infected during the second wave. Its effect is visible in many people till today. We also need to be aware of the side effects of Omicron.
Principal secretary (medical) Vaibhav Galaria through a presentation informed that active cases in the state have increased to 7200. The satisfactory thing is that the number of patients admitted in the hospital is only 302. He said that about 8 lakh people are being vaccinated every day. In just 4 days, about 16 lakh beneficiaries in the age group of 15 to 18 have been vaccinated. Approval of 358 vehicles has been issued for cooperation in vaccination.
