Could India Be In Need Of Booster Shots Soon?

There is an ongoing debate of whether we are in need of booster shots. While India is struggling to contain the virus through two Covid-19 vaccine shots, there might be a need for a booster shot in the future. 

Pfizer is already pushing for this with the US. According to an ongoing study at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research as many as between 15 to 20% of people vaccinated with two doses would definitely require a booster shot. “This is due to the fact that only 80% of 300 fully vaccinated healthcare workers subject to an antibody test showed effective levels of antibodies a month later.”

But an antibody test might not be possible in everyone’s case. In that scenario, it is being advised that a booster shot be made mandatory for everyone. This would be administered six months after each dose. Pfizer is already trying to seek permission from WHO for the third shot as cases of variants continue to rock the American public. 

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Covid-19 has developed variants rapidly and also ‘immune invasion’ abilities to some extend but they are still to develop ‘immune escape abilities’. The new variant the Delta and Zeta variant are going to be more potent and difficult to manage, despite the vaccination schedules being followed across the length and breadth of the country. 

Statistics are currently revealing that India has had a low second dose vaccination coverage. This could only exasperate the breakout of the third wave through the Delta and Zeta variant; and could also mean that the country can face a more prolonged outbreak than other nations where high proportions of people vaccinated with both doses could be eligible for the booster shot earlier. This means an earlier breaking of the chain of infection.