NO COVID BOOSTER REQUIRED IN INDIA AS OF NOW: GULERIA

All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi director, Dr Randeep Guleria has hailed the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country and said that no booster dose is required in the country as of now. ‘Going Viral’ authored by Professor (Dr) Balram Bhargava captures first-hand experiences of scientists who worked tirelessly to develop India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine.

Guleria, who was present as a guest at the book launch event on Tuesday said, “There is no surge of COVID-19 cases as of now. So, there is no need for a booster dose in India for now.”

He further lauded India’s progress in terms of medicine pointing out that the country has come a long way from importing vaccines during the H1N1 outbreak in India to manufacturing vaccines against COVID-19.”When H1N1 had hit India, vaccines were imported from foreign countries. From importing vaccines to manufacturing our own indigenous vaccine, we have come a long way. Today, our COVID-19 vaccines are being exported to other countries,” he said.

Further, on the requirement for booster against Covid-19, Dr VK Paul, a Member of NITI Aayog who was also present at the book launch, said, “When we make a decision on this third dose (or booster dose), it should be based on science. There are studies being done. We are going through the data and research work is in progress. One should understand, for many countries, booster doses are provided when the country vaccinates citizens with both doses to its fullest. First, let us focus on finishing the task of vaccinating people with both doses. I believe that booster doses should be administered when the studies based on science says so,” he added.