These People Will No Longer Have To Wait For 9 Months To Get Booster Dose
New Delhi, 5th May 2022: India is reconsidering the nine-month gap between the second dose of the corona vaccine and the booster dose. This difference can be decreased for people who are going to travel abroad and countries which have made third shots mandatory for their travellers. People familiar with the matter say that the difference between the second and third doses can be reduced to six months. The matter is being discussed by the government’s expert panel, which is looking into matters related to booster doses.
Several countries have recently begun asking for booster doses, which made the central government reconsider bridging this gap. In such a situation, obstructions are being created for people who want to travel abroad for employment, education, business or travel, etc.
According to some experts bridging the gap to the current nine months will accelerate booster drives, which are currently lagging. According to data by the Health Ministry, as of May 1, 105.8 million people were eligible for a booster dose (who had received both shots of the vaccine by August 1, 2021) but only 28.3 million have taken it. The government’s expert advisory panel, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), is looking at the available evidence to make suggestions in this regard.
A government official familiar with the matter said, “NTAGI is looking at the data to find out whether it is a good idea to reduce the gap from the current nine months. They may give priority to those who urgently need a booster for travel purposes, as many countries have made it essential for travel. However, the final decision will be based on the opinion of the experts of the technical panel.”
