96 lakh due for second dose of vaccine in T.N.

Health Department wants to accelerate the pace of vaccination in view of the surge in fresh cases

Nearly 96 lakh persons are due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Tamil Nadu. With nearly 59% of the eligible population fully vaccinated so far, the Health Department wants to improve the pace, especially because of the surge in fresh infections and the emergence of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

Right now, 86% of the State’s eligible population — 5,78,91,000 persons — have received at least one dose. As on December 29, 80,85,218 persons were due for the first dose and 96,71,007 persons for the second dose. One of the areas of concern was the low vaccination levels among the elderly. Among all age groups, the elderly continued to account for the lowest coverage.

While 61% of the targeted 1,04,19,000 senior citizens have received the first dose, only 44% have been fully vaccinated. On the contrary, 95% of the population aged 45-59-have received the first dose and 72% have been fully vaccinated. The category of 18-44 years accounted for the first dose coverage of 81% and the second dose coverage of 51%.