No scientific evidence to support need for booster vaccine dose against Covid: ICMR chief


PTI, Nov 22, 2021, 3:55 PM IST

Image for representation

There is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19, ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava said on Monday underlining the completion of the second dose for India’s adult population is the priority for the government for now.

According to sources, the booster dose issue is likely to be discussed in the next meeting of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI).

”Administering the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all adult population and ensuring that not only India but the entire world gets vaccinated is the priority of the government for now.

”More so, there is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19,” Bhargava told PTI. On the probability of administering a booster dose, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently said that adequate stocks are available and the aim is to complete the vaccination of the target population with two doses. After that, a decision on booster dose would be taken based on expert recommendation, he had said.

”The government cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the Indian Council of Medical Research and expert team will say that a booster dose should be given, we will consider it then,” he had said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always depended on expert opinion, be it vaccine research, manufacturing or approval.

According to officials, around 82 percent of the eligible population in India have received the first dose of the vaccine while around 43 percent have been fully inoculated.

The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 116.87 crores, according to provisional reports till 7 am. The government has launched a month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign for house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination of those who are yet to take a dose and for people whose second dose is overdue.

According to officials, over 12 crore beneficiaries are overdue for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after the expiry of the prescribed interval between the two doses.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Nagarjuna’s younger son Akhil Akkineni engaged

People getting heartburns after I became CM for second time: Siddaramaiah

Newborn baby kidnapped from Kalaburagi hospital in Karnataka

Gukesh draws with Liren in second game of World Chess Championship

All about ‘One Nation One Subscription’ scheme

PAN cards with QR code planned under PAN 2.0 project

Related Articles More

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Five arrested in connection with botched angioplasty deaths at Gujarat hospital

Deceased Kannur official’s widow moves Kerala HC for CBI probe into his death

Kerala CM accuses Centre of turning ‘blind-eye’ towards Wayanad’s need for help

Construct iconic deep tech building in Amaravati, Andhra CM tells officials

MUST WATCH

Grafting

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing


Latest Additions

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Telugu actor Shri Tej booked for alleged cheating, false marriage promise

Five arrested in connection with botched angioplasty deaths at Gujarat hospital

Deceased Kannur official’s widow moves Kerala HC for CBI probe into his death

CAMPCO urges Centre to take action on areca nut ‘carcinogen classification’

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.