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
Related Articles More
Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins WBF’s world title
Like UP, bring BJP to power in Jharkhand to ‘bulldoze’ mafia: Yogi at Koderma poll rally
Govt asks Wikipedia why it should not be treated as publisher instead of intermediary
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
Delhi riots case: HC dismisses plea by Khalid Saifi against attempt to murder charge
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Belagavi: Govt clerk found dead in Tehsildar’s chamber
JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal to visit K’taka on Nov 7 to meet farmers protesting Waqf notices
Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins WBF’s world title
IOA submits ‘Letter of Intent’ to host 2036 Olympics in India
CBDT allows tax officials to waive or reduce interest due from assessee
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.