People should continue precautions, pandemic not over yet: Mansukh Mandaviya
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya played down apprehensions about XE variant of the coronavirus saying it is just another form of Omicron, and asked people to maintain precautions as the pandemic is not over yet.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters where he spoke in detail about the central government’s measures to deal with the pandemic since its outbreak in 2020, he also said that it is up to experts to decide as far as starting vaccination of children below 12 years are concerned.
He, though, noted that very few countries have gone for administering the jabs to children in this age group.
To a question about the government fixing the price of precaution dose at ₹ 225, he said it is the maximum price, and this may still come down due to competition in future as more vaccine manufacturers enter the market.
The precaution dose is being provided free of cost for those above 60 years of age at government centres but others will have to get them at private facilities.
While the COVID-19 situation is under control, the government is continuously monitoring it and advising states accordingly, Mandaviya said.
One has to take precaution as the pandemic is not over yet, he said. “We cannot predict tomorrow,” he added.