Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 27 April 2022
Government of India has allowed precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals in the age group of 18-60 years from 10th of April 2022. Precautionary dose in 18+ age group can be availed by those who have completed nine months from the administration of the second dose.
Precautionary dose can be availed on payment from private vaccination centres for those aged between 18-60 years. Those in the 60+ age group, frontline workers and health care workers are eligible for free precautionary dose from Govt. Vaccination Centres.
Non-availability of precautionary dose for those aged between 18-60 years at Govt. Vaccination Centres is a problem for Islanders living in the remote Islands.
Private Vaccination Centre is only available in one district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands i.e. South Andaman District as per the COWIN Portal.
The residents aged 18-60 years residing in the other two districts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are unable to opt for the precautionary dose because of the non-availability of Private Vaccination Centres in their vicinity.
The worst sufferers are the 18+ residents of Nicobar District who are unable to avail the precautionary dose due to the difficulty in travelling to Port Blair.
A & N Administration should make arrangements for the 18+ residents of remote Islands of the UT to avail precautionary dose on payment basis at the local Govt. Vaccination Centres.