NEW DELHI: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said that people in the 18-59 age group will be given free Covid booster vaccine at government vaccination centres for 75 days. The special drive, beginning on July 15, will be held as part of the government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.

The new decision comes at a time when the daily infections in the country crossed 15,000. So far, less than 1 percent of people in the 18-59 age group have taken the booster dose. 26 percent of the 1.6 crore population, including those aged 60 and above, health and frontline workers, received a booster dose. 26 percent of the estimated 16 crores eligible population aged 60 and above as well as healthcare and frontline workers have received the booster dose.