Panaji: In order to increase response to the ‘precautionary dose’ of COVID-19 vaccine for the people above 60 years of age, Goa government has decided to increase the number of days in which the free inoculation would be done at its Health Centres.
State Vaccination Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar told reporters on Thursday that considering impending fourth wave and slow pace of vaccination it is decided to increase number of vaccination session in Government Community Vaccination Centres from once a day every week on Thursday to three times a week on Monday and Wednesday and Friday.
He said that the Directorate of Health Services will also conduct house to house vaccination that is Har Ghar Dastak campaign on Tuesdays and Saturdays for vaccination of people above 60 years, Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Frontline Workers (FLWs).
He said that currently health care workers (HCW),Frontline workers(FLW) and citizens aged 60 years and more who are fully vaccinated (with 2 doses) and completed nine months (39 weeks) after the second dose, as per the records available on Co- WIN portal, are eligible to take precaution dose at any of Government CVCS.
Borkar said that Tika Utsav will be conducted for the population above 60 years of age across the state as done in the past with overwhelming response from Panchayats and selected representatives and NGOs.
“During the Tika Utsav, vaccination sessions will be held in the community at sites which are close to the beneficiaries i.e. Panchayat, school, community hall etc. Coordination will be done with various stakeholders including Dept. of Women and child development (WCD), Panchayat, Police, schools, local religious leaders, NGOs- Rotary, Lions etc. to make the program a grand success,” he said.
Borkar said that citizens aged 18 year and older but less than 60 years can take their precautionary dose only at any of private CVCs on a payment basis.
“Tika Utsav will help to accelerate coverage and protect all beneficiaries against the impending fourth wave. The Directorate of Health Services has urged eligible beneficiaries to avail the opportunity and get themselves vaccinated at the earliest,” he added.
