Dec 26, 2021: India will start administering COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare and other frontline workers as a precautionary measure from January 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said as India braces for a potential surge in cases of omicron variant.

In a televised address to the nation on Saturday night, Modi also said that people over the age of 60 who are suffering from diseases will be offered booster shots on the recommendation of doctors.

The PM said that those aged 15-18 would start receiving COVID-19 vaccinations from January 3.

“From the point of view of precaution, the government has decided that healthcare and front-line workers should start getting a precaution dose,” Modi said.

Modi said the country has 1.8 million isolation beds, 500,000 oxygen-powered beds and 400,000 oxygen tanks available, among other hospital-related resources, as the omicron variant has increased the risk of another surge in cases.

Omicron cases in India have grown exponentially, reaching a total of 415 in 17 Indian states. The Indian leader warned that the pamdemic was not over and that it was important to take precautions, including wearing face masks and washing hands, and adhering to the COVID-19 protocol. The Modi government has given at least one COVID-19 vaccine to 88% of the 944 million population, while 61% have taken both.

As millions of people are still waiting for other shots, authorities will now begin offering booster shots to healthcare and frontline workers, who suffered a second major wave of the virus in the summer that left tens of thousands dead. People were killed. Medical experts say India needs to increase its coverage to double its vaccination campaign and prevent another possible increase in new infections, especially in large areas where healthcare facilities are scarce. The federal government has urged states to ban large crowds during the festive season until the New Year, and some states have partially banned public celebrations.