As Omicron cases rise in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the state Environment minister and Mumbai Guardian minister Aaditya Thackeray urged the Centre to reduce the minimum age for vaccination and also allow booster doses.
In a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the minister listed various suggestions after interactions with doctors and those closely monitoring the coronavirus situations, for the purpose of protecting people from emerging variants.
This comes after Maharashtra reported highest Omicron cases across the nation.
Thackeray in his letter stated: “All frontline workers and healthcare workers, the group that was first to receive COVID-19 shots when vaccinations started early in the year, should be allowed a ‘third shot at their studied desire’.”
“Reducing the minimum age for vaccination to 15 from 18 will enable us to cover secondary schools and junior colleges with vaccine protection,” he added.
I’ve written to Health Minister (GoI) Shri @mansukhmandviya ji, a few suggestions that have come from various interactions with doctors and those closely observing the covid situation closely, so that we can protect our citizens in the light of newly emerging variants. pic.twitter.com/XZcdXFNOYM
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) December 7, 2021
Moreover, Thackeray also recommended that the dose gap be reduced for wider coverage.
“Mumbai has covered 100 per cent of those eligible with the first vaccine shot and more than 73% have received the second. If the gap between two doses is reduced to four weeks, just like for those applying to work or study abroad, the city will cover 100% of its population with the second dose by mid-January 2022, without asking for more vaccines or altering its delivery schedule," Thackeray said.
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