Poor response to booster dose a concern: Officials

Officials from the Coimbatore Health Department are concerned about the lackadaisical response to booster doses of the pandemic vaccine, even as they step up their vigil on COVID-19. They say that only 29 lakh people have taken booster doses in the district so far, and as of Monday 3240976 people have been inoculated with the first dose of vaccine in the district. Officials say that the people were thinking that the pandemic was over and hence the poor turnout for booster doses. Paruna Deputy Director of Health Services said that “people think that there is no need to adhere to COVID-appropriate behavior now but that’s not the case. People should come forward to take booster doses.” She asked the residents to register with the nearest government hospitals or primary health centres to get the jab. According to her, 10 to 20 people could be inoculated with one vial of COVID-SHIELD or COVAXIN “it is not advised to open the vial for vaccinating just a person as the same may go waste if left unused within a few hours registration will allow the health centres to plan the inoculation vocation drive when enough beneficiaries are there.” Another source said the people who were yet