Precaution dose of Covid-19 vaccine announced for 18+ age group from April 10

All those above the age of 18 who have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose will be eligible for the precaution dose

The Union Health Ministry on Friday announced further expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme allowing the booster shot to anyone above 18 years at private vaccination centres from Sunday.

The ongoing government-sponsored vaccination programme for two primary doses and the precautionary third dose for healthcare workers, front line workers and senior citizens would continue and be accelerated, the ministry said in a statement.

This would mean that a majority of India’s more than 94 crore adults would have to pay for the third jab of Covishield or Covaxin at a rate decided by the vaccine manufacturers and private hospitals.

Also read | 'XE variant of Covid not more severe than Omicron': Kang

“We are adding an extra layer of safety. The precaution dose is to be available to the 18 plus age group from April 10, 2022, at private vaccination centres. All 18 plus who have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose, would be eligible for precaution dose,” said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet.

The policy change responds to concerns raised among many by the emergence of variants with high infectivity and somewhat diminished response to vaccine-induced immunity.

“Since we now clearly recognise that vaccines only protect against severe disease but do not prevent infection, boosters are clearly beneficial for those who are at high risk of such disease due to low immunity or repetitive exposure to high viral loads,” K Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India told DH.

Serum Institute of India chief Adar Poonawalla in a television interview said a single dose of Covishield would cost Rs 600 plus taxes (a company spokesperson puts the figure at Rs 780, which a consumer will have to pay) while Bharat Biotech is yet to clarify at what price, it would sell a single dose of Covaxin at private centres. Poonawalla said SII would offer large discounts to hospitals.

Also Read | Latest Omicron strain unlikely to cause new wave of pandemic: Russian expert

"While the public sector continues to pursue its commitment to complete universal vaccination of persons above 15 years and boosters to high-risk groups, poor people who need or want boosters may face difficulties if they are under 60. It remains to be seen if state governments will step in to support them. The limited presence of organised private health sector facilities in rural areas and small towns will be another challenge,” Reddy said.

Nearly 83% of India's 15 plus population has received both doses whereas 96% of all 15+ population in the country have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose. Among the adults, 82% are fully vaccinated.

More than 2.4 crore precaution doses have also been administered to healthcare workers, front line workers and 60 plus population groups while 45% of the 12-14 years age group have received the first dose.

Also Read | Don't throw masks away, even if Goa is declared mask-free: Expert

Since the definition of precaution dose has not been altered, those who received two Covishield shots will get a third jab of the same vaccine and likewise for Covaxin, said a health ministry source.

“While the announcement for the third dose is welcome, given that currently available vaccines only reduced the severity of illness among those infected, the timing of this dosing should be based on emerging evidence from other geographies which have achieved high coverage with booster doses,” commented Oommen John, a senior public health researcher at the George Institute for Global Health.

India launched its Covid-19 vaccination programme in January 2021 and managed to vaccinate the majority in the last 15 months when a Delta-driven devastating second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and an Omicron-powered third wave ravaged the country.

Watch the latest DH Videos here: