Govt could allow booster dose for people with poor immunity

India is actively examining the possibility of allowing a third dose of Covid-19 vaccination to people who are immunocompromised due to associated disease conditions and cannot mount enough immune response, people in the know told ET.

"There have been scientific discussions on the issue that those who are immunocompromised and are not able to mount an immune response should be allowed to go for the third dose of the vaccine," Samiran Panda, head of epidemiology and infectious diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research, told ET. Panda is also one of the members of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) that advises the government on vaccine policy.

He said the NTAGI has received presentations from different health bodies and scientific experts on the issue. "The topic is being discussed and we are open to the idea," he added.

Experts are of the view that in diseases like cancer, the body of patients undergoing chemotherapy may not be able to generate enough immune response and hence they should be allowed to take the additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

"In such cases, a third dose of vaccine may be allowed. We are critically examining the rationale for such people receiving an additional dose," Panda said.

However, he made it clear that the vaccination programme should continue as it is with a goal to cover all eligible adults. Panda confirmed that the government is not considering giving booster doses at this moment.