On Monday, over 18,000 frontline workers and those above 60 years with underlying illnesses received the booster doses across Delhi. According to the data available on the CoWin dashboard, by 6 pm 18,714 elderly citizens along with frontline workers had taken the booster jabs also known as ‘precaution dose’. 

Homologous vaccine— the same that a person has received in the previous two doses — was given to the healthcare and frontline workers and those above 60 years with underlying illnesses. These people were declared qualified for the third dose, needed no doctors’ certificates and were required to register to get the ‘precautionary dose.’ But many could not get as the required nine-month gap between the second dose and the booster dose was not completed. 

Vijay Manchanda a 70 year old elderly person was happy to receive the booster jab from LNC hospital in Lajpat Nagar and said that he had more willpower to live now. He also showed interest in getting his wife vaccinated with the booster dose. But, at the same hospital, J L Poori could not get his jab as two more days were remaining for completion of his nine-month gap. 

But in several hospitals, including PSMS Hospital, Kalkaji the booster shots were not made available to the public and a hospital official said that they had doses, but would start the booster vaccination program from Tuesday. At many hospitals, only people who registered through the CoWin app were given booster shots. 

But at many places, including Maulana Azad Medical College walk-ins were conducted.  Attar Singh, a 59-year-old Delhi Police official, was happy to receive his booster shot at MAMC and told that it was important for the police to get the third dose as they were on duty most of the time. Phool Singh, 43, a frontline worker and employee of the MAMC hospital received his third dose and said it was important for him as he was deployed at the testing lab.

Source: The New Indian Express