New Delhi: The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended that those travelling abroad can take the booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine before the stipulated waiting period of nine months. However, there hasn’t been any recommendations made by the advisory group over reducing the period between the second dose and the precautionary dose from nine months to six months for everyone.
According to sources close to news agency PTI, the issue of reducing the gap between the second and booster dose is likely to be discussed in subsequent meetings.
The Union health ministry has received several requests that sought the Covid booster jab for all those who are travelling abroad owing to jobs, business work, admission to foreign educational institutes, taking part in sports events and bilateral and multilateral meetings as part of India's official delegation.
“The issue was discussed on Wednesday and the NTAGI has recommended that those who need to travel overseas can take the booster shot, before the stipulated nine-month waiting period, as per the requirements of the country they are travelling to,” PTI quoted one of its sources as saying.
Notably, India started administering the booster doses of the Covid vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers, and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10 this year.
Later, the clause of comorbidity was done away with in March, thereby, making everyone aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose of Covid vaccine.
On April 10, India started administering Covid precaution doses to all aged above 18 years at private vaccination centres.
It is to be noted that as of now, all those above 18 years, who have completed nine months after the second Covid dose, are eligible for the precaution shot.