The government is not planning to mandate booster doses against Covid-19 yet, according to top officials in the health ministry. The government continues to monitor the Covid-19 trend and current evidence does not indicate the need for booster doses. A senior health ministry official stated that individuals testing positive for Covid-19, including those infected by the new sub-variant JN.1, generally exhibit mild symptoms and are recovering at home. This suggests that prior infection and vaccination provide sufficient protection against serious illness in the event of re-infection with Covid-19.
Government data indicates that India has administered nearly 220 crore vaccine doses to individuals aged 12 and above since January 2021. The first dose coverage stands at close to 97%, while second dose coverage is at 90%. However, the coverage for booster doses, also known as third doses, remains low at around 20-25%.
Dr N K Mehra, an honorary emeritus scientist of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), also advised against mandating booster doses. He explained that the new sub-variant JN.1 is a derivative of the Omicron variant and is unlikely to cause severe infections in most individuals due to the high level of existing exposure. Thus, the current immunity levels resulting from prior infection and vaccination are expected to be effective.
In conclusion, the government is not currently considering mandating booster doses against Covid-19, as evidence suggests that prior infection and vaccination offer sufficient protection against serious illness. While the coverage for initial vaccine doses is high, the uptake of booster doses remains relatively low. Experts agree that the mild symptoms experienced by most individuals infected with the new sub-variant JN.1 indicate that the current level of immunity is effective in preventing severe disease. Further updates on the government’s stance regarding booster doses may be forthcoming.
