Mansukh Mandaviya launches ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya began the ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’ at the Covid Vaccination Camp in Nirman Bhawan here on Friday, urging people to acquire the free dosage to protect themselves against COVID-19.

“All Health Ministry employees initiated their inoculation of the free doses. My appeal to all citizens above the age of 18 years to get the free dose to ensure your protection against COVID19,” said “On ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, all eligible populations (18+) can get a free precaution dose for the next 75 days, starting today,” he added.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba is also expected to preside over a meeting with all Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs about the free prophylactic dosage campaign, which was inaugurated today and will last 75 days.

The free vaccination campaign was initiated with the goal of increasing the uptake of the COVID vaccine’s preventive dosage among the eligible adult population.

This particular vaccination push is part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and seeks to deliver free prophylactic doses to all people (18 years and older) who are eligible at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

States and UTs were urged to give an intensive and ambitious push toward full COVID19 vaccination coverage by vaccinating all eligible beneficiaries and covering them with precaution dose in a virtual meeting with State/UT Health Secretaries and NHM MDs chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday.

Also Read: Union Health Secy to hold VC with states & UTs ahead of Free Booster dose drive

States/UTs were asked to carry out a 75-day ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ as a ‘Jan Abhiyaan’ with large popular mobilisation using a camp strategy. They were urged to conduct special vaccination camps along the itineraries of the Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand), Amarnath Yatra (Jammu & Kashmir), Kanwar Yatra (all North Indian States/UTs), as well as important Melas and congregations.

The Union Health Secretary emphasised that the lower percentage of precaution dosages taken among those aged 18 and up (8%) and people aged 60 and above (27%), is reason for worry.

From July 15 to September 30, 2022, the Centre has announced a special programme called ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ that would distribute free prophylactic doses at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres for everyone aged 18 and up for 75 days.

All people above the age of 18 who have completed 6 months (or 26 weeks) since the administration of the second dosage are eligible for the precaution dose.