Amid Covid-19 surge ꦬin China and elsewhere abroad, the importance of booster doses of coronavirus vaccine is being highlighted in India.
In the high-level meeting to review India's Covid-19 situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi di🃏rected officials to increase the coverage of booster doses, dubbed precaution doses by the Government of India.
Besides Modi, top doctors body Indian M𓄧edica🅰l Association (IMA) has also asked people to get their booster doses.
Vaccines train the human immune system to fight the virus. They prevent death and severe disease and are also known to reduce transmission. Most vaccines have two doses. Since vaccine-in𒁃duced protection is ౠknown to wane over time, booster doses are taken to update the protection.
What did PM Modi say?
Modi reviewed the Indian Covid-19 situation on Thursday. A🍃mong other things, he said that booster doses coverage should be increas𒉰ed.
While speaking of Covid-appropriate behaviour, Modi ♓also touched upon the subject of booster doses.
"Prime Minister urged everyone to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour at all times𒁃, especially in view of the upcoming festive season, including wearing masks in crowded public places. Prime Minister also urged that that precaution dose may be encouraged especially for vulnerable and elderly groups," said a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
What has IMA said?
Among other measures, the IMA in a statement r🎐eleased on Thursday highlighted the importance of booster doses.
The IMA advises the following steps:
- Face masks to be used in all public places
- Social distancing is to be maintained
- Regular handwashing with soap and water or sanitisers
- Public gatherings like marriages, political or social meetings etc. to be avoided
- Avoid international travel
- Consult your doctor in case of any symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, loose motions, etc.
- Get your Covid vaccination including precautionary dose at the earliest
- Follow the government advisory from time to time
Very little booster doses coverage
While India has relatively higher coverage of first and second doses of coronavirus vaccines, the coverage of booster dose is ve👍ry low. It has been flagged repea๊tedly by experts.
Member (Health) of NITI Aayog Dr VK Paul on Wednesday said only 27-28 per cent people ha🌃ve taken precaution doses. Highlighting this, he urge♍d the public to take precaution doses.
Experts also flagged during the Covid-19 surge in Delhi earlier this year that people are not interested in getting booster doses. They also highlighted the importance of getting boosters. Earlier too,ꦍ the Union government urged states and Union territories (UTs) to increase vaccination.
"Fewer people are opting for Covid-19 precaution dose in Delhi in the last several days, even as the number of coronavirus cases reported in the national capital has registered a record rise in the past one week," reported Outlook at the time.
In a letter date𒁃d August 5, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to seven states, including Delhi, that the pace of vaccination must be improved.
He wrote, "States should aim to increase the pace of vaccination for all eligible populatioඣn and accelerat⛄e the administration of free precaution doses for 18-plus eligible population at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) under the 'COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav' till September 30."
(with PTI inputs)