Coronavirus booster shots will be available to all adults from Sunday at private vaccination centres, the government announced on Friday.

The decision to open up the booster to all adults comes as infections grow in many countries and some Indians find it hard to travel abroad without a third dose.

Ongoing free vaccination programme through government vaccination centres for first and second dose as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated," a government statement said.

About 96 per cent of the 15 and above population in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose while about 83 per cent of the population has received both doses, it added.

The administration of Precaution Dose to 18+ population through Private Vaccination Centres would start from 10th April (Sunday), 2022,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

“All those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed 9 months after the administration of second dose, would be eligible for the precaution dose. This facility would be available in all Private Vaccination Centres,” the statement added.

So far, about 96% of all 15+ population in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose while about 83% of 15+ population has received both the doses, the statement explained.

More than 2.4 crore precaution doses have also been administered to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ age group while 45% of 12 to 14 years age group have also received the first dose.

The on-going free vaccination programme through Government Vaccination Centres for first and second dose to the eligible population as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated, the statement added.