- No sooner did humanity attempts to breathe a sigh of relief hoping to escape from the debilitating effects of the novel coronavirus, than reports about the emergence of variants of concern invariably make its unwanted presence sending the world community into a frenzied tizzy. The last two years have been no less than a roller coaster ride vis-à-vis several variants of virus striking incessantly making it extremely challenging for the governments to press ahead with the now-on now-off economic activities. Nonetheless, the clarion call given by the scientific community to learn to live with the virus has slowly started prevailing everywhere, and India is no exception.
PC: Janette Neuwahl Tannen
- As you are aware, even as Omicron’s different sub-variants continue to wreak havoc in different parts of the world, combined with fears of the emergence of some new variant, India’s expansion of the precaution dose programme beginning last Sunday was most essential. Such a move comes after a considerable push from the scientific and medical community who were convinced beyond doubt that administering the booster dose will essay an admirable role in thwarting the virus from proving costlier. But the extremely slow uptake of the first three days since the announcement has raised doubts about whether public messaging on the necessity of boosters is too weak.
- The Government of India’s health bulletin on the CoWin portal initially showed few people taking advantage of the expanded vaccination. Thankfully, the portal is showing an uptick subsequently in the age groups of 18 and above. It is worthwhile to mention that building momentum from here on is critical. While the vaccine policy has been expanded to allow everyone over 18 years to receive a booster, there are still two serious restraints that need rethinking and loosening. The need of the hour is to embrace globally accepted practice rather than exhibiting inflexibility and due consideration. First, the booster is still only available nine months after the second dose.
PC: Rhythma Kaul
- Given the wealth of international data which underlines the waning of vaccine efficacy at six months versus the absence of publicly available national data showing that this happens at nine months, instead, the above time frame urgently needs revision. Note that with the nine-month gap, 29 million Indians aged 18-59 years become eligible for boosters as of date. Interestingly, with a six-month gap, this number would soar to 192 million. Of course, there should not be any constraints whilst servicing such a target what with India’s pharma pipeline comfortably placed to buttress supply.
- Now the most important second restraint on the matter is about how the sub-60 boosters are only made available at private vaccination centers. As you know, even though Covishield and Covaxin prices were cut ahead of the booster expansion, the prices continue to remain too high for millions of working-class families. Most importantly, that these boosters are absent from government facilities may be feeding suspicions about the vaccines being construed as luxury goods. Thus, reconsideration to make it available at government facilities is imperative. We have vaccines and science as well. Hence, shouldn’t wait for the next storm to shore up our responses and defenses.
