Covid-19 Vaccine: No Scientific Evidence To Support Need For Booster Dose, Says ICMR Chief

According to a report released by the Health Ministry, 7,579 new cases have been registered in the country in the last 24 hours.

Covid-19 Vaccine: No Scientific Evidence To Support Need For Booster Dose, Says ICMR Chief: File Image

New Delhi: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) chief Dr Balram Bhargava said there is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against Covid-19.  

The Director General of ICMR said, "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." Bhargava added, "There is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against Covid-19."

According to a report, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the Centre’s top expert panel on immunisation, is likely to meet in the last week of November to discuss key issues such as booster shots. 

Recently, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had sought permission from the Centre to provide booster shots in the state. In response, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said, "The Centre cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the ICMR says that booster shots should be given, we will consider it then. At present, the aim is to complete full vaccination of the target population. Once that is done, a decision on booster dose will be taken. We have enough stocks available."

Meanwhile, the country reported the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in the last 543 days. According to a report released by the Health Ministry, 7,579 new cases have been registered in the country in the last 24 hours. As the cases of Covid infections have come down, the pace of vaccination has also increased.