Covid Vaccine Booster Doses Need to be Decided Based on Local Evidence

A large number of population in India have not yet been administered Covid vaccine. However, for those who have received the prescribed two doses of the vaccine, the question remains what next? Should they take booster doses? There is no scientifically proven or official guidelines on booster doses, yet. The decision on booster doses should be taken on the basis of local evidence and studies conducted in different parts of the country and not based on the decisions taken in the western countries.

“The requirement of booster dose in our country cannot be decided on the basis of the situation and decisions taken in western countries. Local evidence based on the studies done in different parts of the country will guide the need for our people,” said Dr. N K Arora, Chairman, India’s Covid-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).

“This will be considered in the context when 70 to 80 per cent of the population in our country is already infected. Overall a considerate decision will be taken based on the best available scientific evidence with the overall objective to provide optimal protection to our people,” Arora said in an interview to DD News.

The requirement of booster dose in our country cannot be decided on the basis of the situation and decisions taken in western countries. Local evidence based on the studies done in different parts of the country will guide the need for our people

Dr. N K Arora, Chairman, India’s COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI)

Referring to sero-survey conducted in July 2021, Arora said around 70 per cent people in India were found to be infected with Covid-19. “This also means 30 per cent people are still prone to infection; and that they can be infected any time particularly if they are still unvaccinated.”

“Hence any complacency on the part of any of us throughout the country will cost hugely since the 30 per cent people can be infected and many of them can develop severe disease and rarely fatal, like we witnessed during April and May 2021.

Hence, following ‘Covid Appropriate Behaviours’ is absolutely essential and critical, especially with the coming festive season. Emergence of new mutation around this time can also be a reason for the arrival of a third wave.

Almost 30,000 – 45000 daily cases on an average are being reported in our country for last several weeks. This is reported mostly from specific geographic regions, especially Kerala, many North Eastern States and a few districts of Maharashtra and some other southern states. If we follow the genomic analysis of SARS-COV-2 viruses circulating during June, July and August, no new variants have emerged and on the basis of sero-survey conducted during July, the on-going Covid cases represent the  susceptible individuals who are not yet immunized; they are affected as part of the last phase of second wave.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 9 September 2021, India’s active caseload stands at 3,93,614. Active cases account for 1.19 per cent of total cases.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 9 September 2021, India’s active caseload stands at 3,93,614. Active cases account for 1.19 per cent of total cases.

The governments across the country have been pushing for vaccination to secure the citizen from Covid-19.

How effective are Covid vaccines in preventing the spread of Coronavirus disease? According to Dr. Arora, “most of the vaccines are not adequately effective in preventing Covid infection and therefore, it is repeatedly emphasized that even after vaccination, the person can spread Covid infection and need for maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour.” The most important value of the Covid-19 vaccines is their effectiveness to prevent severe disease, need for hospitalisation and death. All the vaccines currently available in India and elsewhere are over 90-95 per cent effective for protecting the beneficiary from severe disease and death. This is true for all the variants including the delta virus. Most of the infection occurring in India today is due to Delta virus.