Hyderabad: The prevention dose for Covid-19 starts in the state but because of central guidelines, only a small number of people with comorbidity above the age of 60 are preferred for the dose.
Data obtained by TOI revealed that in this age group with a total population of 41.60 lakh throughout the country, only 83,426 people in Hyderabad are currently qualified.
Across the country, 8.32 lakh people qualify for the dose.
According to the center, only 20% of those aged 60 years and above and with comorbities qualified for the dose.
Because of Omicron’s concern, the state government has written to the center asking all parents in this age group to receive prevention doses not just 20% of them.
Experts also called for changes in similar norms.
The central government previously issued guidelines that recognized 20 serious types of comorbidity, including diabetes conditions for more than 10 years as comorbidities.
“We want the center to consider providing a preventive dose to everyone over the age of 60 regardless of comorbidity status,” said Dr.
G Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health.
Because of the long gap between the covishield between the two doses, many have delayed the date for the dose of prevention.
In addition, central guidelines only make some who qualify for the current preventive dose, say authorities.
The elderly will be asked to show the authority of their health records and get a doctor’s recommendation letter to take the dose of caution.
According to health officials, the majority of people in this age group are long-term diabetics because the number of diabetics in this country is the highest in this country.
Dr.
Kiran Madala, a Council of Certified Medical Research Research, said developed countries have provided a preventive dose for all ages over 60 years.
“The center can relax the norms later, but it is better to consider all for preventive doses given the spread of erykron which is fast,” he said.