An expert team on immunization under the Union fitness ministry will decide whether to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for all people above the age of 18, but scientists say the Center allows all willing adults to take an extra dose.
According to virologists and epidemiologists, giving these boosters above 18 will limit transmission of the virus and enhance protection against disease.
Until now, the booster or precautionary dose is only given to healthcare and frontline workers and those over 60 years of age, equipped 9 months after their 2nd dose.
Last week, scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune said that the 0.33 dose can significantly increase antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2, which all adults must receive.
The chorus grew louder as most scientists believe that Omicron may not be the last virus variant and that the pathogen will now continue to circulate in various population groups across the country.
Omicron’s combination of BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes as the XE variant has recently attracted the interest of the World Health Organization and is being monitored for its impact on public health.