Second Covid Booster Dose Not Required: Government Sources

New Delhi: Based on the current Covid-19 situation in the country, there is no need to administer a second booster dose, government sources told ANI, as the Union Health Ministry data on Tuesday (January 3) showed that only 134 new coronavirus cases were recorded throughout the nation in the last 24 hours with the daily positivity rate at 0.09 per cent “As of now no second Covid-19 booster dose is required, first we have to complete the first booster drive in the country.”

Also Read: Covid XBB.1.5 Variant Not Virulent In India As 90% Of Population Vaccinated: Doctor

Another official source told ANI,

No discussion has been started even in the Immunisation panel National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) regarding the second booster dose. Our first priority is to complete the first booster drive in the country.

Recently, during a virtual meeting on Covid19 situation and preparedness in the country between the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other doctors and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, a request was raised by some experts for a second booster dose for those who have already taken a booster dose six months ago and those with comorbidities.

As per the data given by Union Health Ministry, the 220.11 cr Total Vaccine doses (95.13 cr Second Dose and 22.41 cr Precaution Dose) have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

A total of 45,769 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

Also Read: “Don’t Panic, India Is Preparing For Potential COVID-19 Outbreak”: COVID Panel Chief Dr N.K. Arora

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.