HCW, FLW to get booster dose in Jan; 60+ with comorbidities in Feb: TS
The precautionary dose has to be administered only after nine months or 39 weeks of receiving the second dose.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 2 Jan 2022 10:01 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The Telangana health department on Sunday released operational guidelines for the vaccination of children aged 15-18 years and for administering precautionary dose to health care workers (HCW), frontline workers (FLW), and those above 60 years with comorbidities.
The health department said the vaccination for teens will start from 3 January while for HCW, FLW, and those aged above 60 years age it will start from 10 January. The precautionary dose has to be administered only after nine months or 39 weeks of receiving the second dose.
Vaccination for health care workers started on 16 January 2021 and their second dose was apparently administered in the third or last week of February 2021, if taken promptly. Those HCWs who took the second dose in February 2021will be eligible for a precautionary dose in January 2022.
Meanwhile, vaccination for frontline workers started on 5 February 2021 and their second dose was apparently administered in the third or last week of March 2021 if taken promptly. Those FLWs who took the second dose in March 2021will be eligible for a precautionary dose in January 2022.
"The list of beneficiaries eligible for a precautionary dose will be made available on CoWin as discussed with the GoI team," said Dr. G. Srinivasa Rao, the director of public health, Telangana.
Vaccination for people aged 60 years and above with comorbidities started on 1 March 2021 and their second dose was apparently administered in the third or last week of April 2021 if taken promptly. Those who took the second dose in April 2021will be eligible for a precautionary dose in February 2022.
"As per the data from the Centre, around 20% of the beneficiaries of 60+ age group will have associated comorbidities," said Dr. Rao.
The precautionary dose will be given as per the beneficiary's willingness after due consultation with their doctor. They will not be actively mobilized.
The health department is expecting 22,78,683 beneficiaries in the age group of 15-20. This group will only be administered Covaxin. They have to take the second dose after four weeks.
In GHMC and 12 municipal corporations, beneficiaries will get the vaccine only after online registration. In the rest of the Telangana districts, they can walk in and get the vaccine.
