The new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, discovered in South Africa has been spreading fast. The newly emerged super strain is known to have over 30 mutations and can spread 6 times faster than the delta variant. With Omicron looming around, Dr N K Arora, India’s Covid-19 task force head revealed to Firstpost that booster doses will become a reality in the next 14 days. Read on to know more. The Omicron tally in India crossed 1,525 with surges in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Karnataka. Delhi saw over 2,700 fresh cases on a single day and Karnataka logged in a thousand-mark in a single-day spike.
India May Announce Booster Dose Policy In 14 Days
As the United States of America and the United Kingdom start administering booster shots, India will announce its comprehensive policy on additional and booster doses to the public in the next two weeks. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) of India will announce this soon. While India hasn’t yet reported a single case of the new Covid-19 variant, the Omicron continues to be a serious matter of concern. The booster dose is believed to help combat the new variant of concern.
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The @SerumInstIndia is seeking the approval of India's drug regulator for the booster dose of Covishield vaccine. The move has been made by the Serum Institute in the wake of the recent emergence of #Omicron variant in South Africa.#India #Omicronindia #Covishield pic.twitter.com/18vnkiRnZa
— India In Focus (@IndiaInFocus_IN) December 2, 2021
A Covid-19 booster dose needs to be taken by a person after being fully vaccinated. Post completing the vaccine series, the protection wanes over time, after which an additional dose needs to be administered. This will help people maintain strong immunity for a longer period of time. Dr N K Arora said to NDTV that India will be mulling over Covid-19 booster doses for immunocompromised people and the policy will be drawn in the next 14 days. It will deal with who requires the vaccine, how and when.
Also Read: Be Ready For Longer Wait At Delhi Airport Amid New Guidelines After Omicron Scare
#Exclusive | Booster dose of Covid vaccine necessary?@doctorsoumya, WHO Chief Scientist, responds to Rahul Shivshankar on INDIA UPFRONT. | #CovidVariantAlarm pic.twitter.com/uMRkwadYDy
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 26, 2021
Also Read: Here’s Everything You Need To Know If You’re Travelling To Europe Amid Omicron Curbs
Booster Doses Of Covaxin & Covishield Will Be Available
Booster doses of the existing Covishield and Covaxin will be made available. The Serum Institute of India (SII) has already asked for approval for a Covishield booster dose. In its application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), it revealed that it’s the need of the hour, ad no individual must be deprived of a third or booster dose to protect themselves amid the pandemic.