Amid growing Covid cases and the third wave of the pandemic, Tamil Nadu is all set to inoculate the Covid-19 booster doses in the state. The booster vaccination drive will be crucial in the state's fight against the pandemic and the state health department has been prepared to roll out special camps for the booster doses along with the mega vaccination camps. 

On Tuesday - January 18, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has announced that the special camps for inoculating the Covid-19 booster doses in the state will be held every Thursday, while the mega vaccination camps are being held in the state every Saturday. He was addressing the reporters after inaugurating the vaccination drive for the people above 60 years at an apartment building in Saidapet during which he made the announcement about the special camps for booster doses. 

He said, "The Chief Minister has inaugurated the booster vaccination drive on January 10 and a total of 92,522 people have been administered with the booster dose so far as of Monday night. The count includes 32,355 healthcare workers, 25,300 frontline workers, and 34, 867 people who were aged above 60 years with comorbid conditions."  As per the data, the number of eligible people who can receive the booster dose in Tamil Nadu stands at 4,48,732. 

The booster dose can be administered only for those who received vaccination before April of last year and have completed nine months after two doses of vaccination. The health minister said, "The number (4,48,732) will cross 10 lakh before the end of January and it is essential to vaccinate all of them. All booster Covid-19 vaccine special camps will be held on all Thursdays and the mega vaccination camps will be held as usual." 

As per the statement from the minister, the special camps for the booster doses will be held in 600 places all over the state, including 160 places in Chennai, 385 places in 385 panchayat unions, all hospitals in district headquarters and medical college hospitals. He urged the people who were eligible to receive the booster dose to get vaccinated.

According to the state health department, Tamil Nadu has reported 23,443 fresh Covid cases, 13,551 discharges, and 20 deaths on Monday - January 17. Overall, the state has recorded 29,63,366 cases so far as of Monday of which 1,52,348 are active, 27,74,009 were discharged, and 37,009 had succumbed to the viral infection. Tamil Nadu has reported 241 Omicron cases so far as of Monday of which 231 cases were recovered and discharged.