PremiumHealthcare, frontline workers and people above the age of 60 with comorbidities will be eligible for the precaution dose which would be administered from 10 January
| Listen to this article |
No mixing and matching of vaccines will be allowed while administering the third or precautionary anti-Covid dose, said the central government on Wednesday.
“Precautionary Covid-19 vaccine dose will be the same as has been given previously. Those who have received Covaxin will receive Covaxin, those who have received primary two doses of Covishield will receive Covishield," said VK Paul, member (health) of Niti Aayog.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced that the precautionary dose will be rolled out for the citizens from 10 January for healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above the age of 60 with comorbidities.
This comes amid several studies pointing at the benefits a booster dose can offer in preventive severe infections.
According to recent findings published in UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA), one can get 88% protection against hospitalisation from infection by the Omicron Covid-19 variant if vaccinated with a booster dose.
The vaccine effectiveness drops to 52% against Omicron around six months after taking the second shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, pointed out Eric Topol, professor of molecular medicine, and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in the US.
However, a booster dose substantially increases immunity and lowers the odds of being hospitalised with Covid-19 infection.
Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!