E-Paper
9-12 months' gap likely between 2nd dose and 'booster' precaution dose: Reports
A majority of this group of the population received both doses in the first half of 2021 as they were the priority groups of India's vaccination programme that started on January 16, 2021.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's plan to roll out a third dose of vaccine against Covid, reports claimed that the gap between the second dose and this third dose is likely to be nine to 12 months, news agency PTI reported. The nitty-gritty of the gaps for the vaccines currently being used in India's inoculation programme – Covishield and Covaxin – is being worked out, and a final decision over this will be taken soon, the report said, quoting sources.
As announced by PM Modi, the third dose, which is being called the precaution dose will be administered to frontline workers and senior citizens with comorbidities starting from January 10. A majority of this group of the population received both doses in the first half of 2021 as they were the priority groups of India's vaccination programme that started on January 16, 2021. It's already been nine months since their last dose for frontline workers and senior citizens (with comorbidities) who have received both the doses of their vaccines by March-April.
After PM Modi’s announcement of vaccines for teens, 'precaution dose’, expert says this
"The gap between the second and the precautionary dose of Covid vaccine is likely to be nine to 12 months with the immunisation division and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) discussing on these lines," the PTI report said.
What is the precaution dose?
Regular vaccines against Covid consist of two doses. With the emergence of new variants, the need of a third dose which may act as a booster to the immune system of the body was felt worldwide and several countries have started administering this third dose, which is generally referred to as booster dose. PM Modi, however, did not use the popular terminology as he announced the third dose. It was referred to as precaution dose; to be administered as precaution to priority groups amid the rapid spread of Omicron.
