Covid Third Dose: Decision On Vaccination Of All Adults To Be Based On Scientific Need, Says Govt

NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said that emerging knowledge on the subject is under its active consideration and all decisions on booster dose are taken first and foremost based on the need.

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New Delhi: Amid the growing discussion over the need for a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine in the country, Union Health Ministry on Thursday said that the decision on third vaccine for all adults will be taken based on scientific need.

Responding to a question at a weekly press conference, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said that emerging knowledge on the subject is under its active consideration and all decisions on booster dose, named as precaution dose in India, are taken first and foremost based on the need.

"The scientific need is the first part that drives it, then other considerations - programmatic and epidemiological. Just because anyone else is doing it, they have their own context, we have our own context and all this is under constant scientific scrutiny and decision-making," Paul said.

India started administering the third dose of vaccines against Covid to priority groups and elderly people with comorbidities from January 10, this year.

Speaking on the issue, Paul also said that the need for vaccination and inclusion of population for vaccination is examined by health experts constantly.

"We also look at developments in the world and keep analysing and all options of vaccination are under active consideration and as decisions are taken, it would be announced," he said.

Eligibility To Take Third Dose In India

There should be a gap of at least 9 months between the second and the third dose.

For instance, if a person got the second dose latest by the first week of Jan 2022, then he/she will be eligible for the precaution dose after first week of November 2022. 

India's Vaccination Drive

According to data shared by Health Ministry, India's cumulative vaccination coverage has now reached 172 cr out of which 94.41 people have taken first dose of the vaccine, while 74.67 crore people have taken the second jab.

More than 1.64 crore (1,64,61,231) precaution doses of the vaccines have been administered to the healthcare workers (HCWs), the frontline workers (FLWs)and those aged 60 years and above with comorbidities.

(With inputs from PTI.)