The Udupi district administration will start issuing free booster COVID-19 vaccine doses to those aged 18 and above. Udupi district Deputy Commissioner M. Kurma Rao has called upon all beneficiaries to take the booster dose at the earliest. The district has achieved over 100% success in providing the first two doses of the vaccine. The district administration has planned to reach booster doses to eight lakh people aged between 18 and 59 by September 30 this year.

In the 18 to 59 age bracket, 10.04 lakh people have taken the first dose, while 10 lakh people have taken the second dose. Booster doses will be given to those who have taken the second dose six months ago. Those going abroad will be administered booster dose only if they had taken their second dose three months ago. Beneficiaries can go to the nearest government health facility and get the free booster dose.

The district administration has planned to involve gram panchayats and carry out vaccination drives in the rural areas. It has also proposed to hold vaccination drives at places where workers congregate.