Jaipur: With the country that reported 17 cases of omicron variants from Coronavirus, health experts have suggested that the government must subject policy to make a booster dose available to people who have been vaccinated against the virus a few months ago.
They also claim that six months after vaccination, antibodies reduce and booster shots can significantly increase immunity.
The center has marked the Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 16, targeting high-risk groups first, including frontline workers, health workers, elderly (over 60), and people with comorbidity (45 to 59 years).
TimesViewa many people who have been vaccinated for Covid for a long time suspecting that with the passage of time, antibody titers might have dropped.
They are afraid if the third wave – powered by omicron variants – hits, they will not have a defense mechanism to defeat the virus.
The state government must press the center to immediately approve the booster shooting, which has been approved in several people who are fully vaccinated up to 32.4 lakh.
Since June 1, more than 32 lakh people who are fully vaccinated have not received Covid-19 shots.
“When the number of Covid-19 patients increased in the world, many Western countries have begun to manage booster vaccination for the population.
We must also consider giving a dose of booster to health workers and high-risk populations,” said Dr.
Ashish Jain.
, Director of Critical Care at Private Hospital.
Health experts say the government must review the vaccination policy and ensure that people have enough antibodies to fight Covid-19.
“The booster dose must be given, but the test must be done to check that people have enough antibodies.
Only if they lack immunity, they must get a booster dose.
Also, vaccination for children must begin while focusing on those who are still abandoned from inoculation drives , “said Dr.
Lokendra Shamra, Senior Pharmachology professor at SMS Medical College.
Health officials and the government have tried hard to vaccinate the 18+ population, but with the emergence of omicron variants, the Ministry of Health has increased efforts to investigate people who meet the requirements with at least the first dose at the end of December.
“High-level committees will decide whether the booster dose must be given for now or not.
The booster dose, in my opinion, is needed because the immunity produced by the vaccine is not permanent, after six months the antibody titers dropped dramatically and the single booster dose took it,” said Dr.
Pankaj Anand, senior consultant, critical and emergency treatments in private hospitals.
He added that the decision had to come out at the end of this month.
“The booster dose increases the chances of protection against the new Omicron variant,” he said.
“I believe the government will come out with guidelines about the booster dose soon.
The government will regulate the protocol whether the booster must be equal to two initial doses of Covid-19 vaccine or if they can diverse,” Dr.
Preveen said.
Kanojia, senior consultant, internal treatment, in private hospitals.