If you or anyone in your family is over the age of 40, there is a possibility that you will be given a booster dose.
A weekly bulletin by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium or the INSACOG has confirmed that such a booster vaccine dose “may be considered.”
Booster Shots To Be Given To Anyone Above Age 40
This is a first such recommendation, and it has been made due to the risks posed by the new B.1.1.529 or the Omicron variant of Covid-19 that has newly been discovered in the country.
Apparently, the antibodies from the current vaccine will not be enough for fighting the Omicron variant; however, the risk of severe disease due to the new variant will be lessened.
The bulletin states, “Vaccination of all remaining unvaccinated at-risk people and consideration of a booster dose for those 40 years of age and over, first targeting the most high-risk / high-exposure may be considered, since low levels of neutralising antibodies from current vaccines are unlikely to be sufficient to neutralise Omicron, although risk of severe disease is still likely to be reduced.”
The body has also stated that genomic surveillance would help detect the variant earlier and also help in making sure that the necessary public health measures have been implemented.
Travelling Monitored, Testing Increased
As per the bulletin, traveling to and from the known affected areas has been monitored. Also, contact tracing of COVID-19 cases with an epidemiological link to the affected areas has been implemented. The rate of testing has also been increased.
In November, it had also been confirmed by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) that there would be a policy on the booster and additional doses of the vaccine. The NTAGI is the advisory group to the government on vaccines
Recently, the United States extended the authorization of Covid vaccine boosters to all people aged 18 and older, six months after the completion of their primary vaccination series. FDA took the decision based on enough evidence, from studies and real-world use of boosters, to back the expansion for both Pfizer and Moderna.
After successful vaccinations of more than 100 crore Indians, India might be in a good position to take a decision on booster dose for its citizens. How the story of a booster dose in India will unfold, only time will tell.
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