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<ul><li>The Indian immunisation panel is discussing a fourth dose of <keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covid" source="Orion">Covid</keyword> vaccine, or a <keyword id="10424474" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-booster-dose" source="Orion">second booster dose</keyword>. </li><li>India started its booster or precaution dose drive in January 2022 and has so far inoculated over 15 crore Indians in the age group of 15-59 years. </li><li>Only 28% of the eligible population in India have received the first <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> so far.</li></ul>Covid-19 cases are once again <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/indias-case-tally-of-new-omicron-variant-xbb-1-5-reaches-five-heres-what-you-need-to-know/articleshow/96704832.cms">rising across various parts</a> of the world and the Indian government has already started taking precautionary measures. As India has also reported cases of new variants like XBB.1.5, BF.7, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is considering to roll out a second booster dose or fourth dose of Covid vaccine for the Indian population. “Discussions have started on the matter of opening a second booster among members of the technical group. There is a section that is keen on allowing another booster dose. They will be minutely going through all the scientific data before making any recommendations,” an expert on one of the committees of NTAGI <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/discussions-begin-in-govt-panel-on-2nd-booster-dose-101672684219149.html">said</a>. Last week, doctors of <keyword id="6365835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Medical-Association" source="Orion">Indian Medical Association</keyword> (IMA), in a discussion with the union health minister <keyword id="2607815" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mansukh-mandaviya" source="Orion">Mansukh Mandaviya</keyword>, suggested that the government must approve a fourth Covid-19 vaccine for people. <a href="https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/c/covid-19-vaccine-booster/">New Zealand</a> is one such country which has approved a second booster dose for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The second booster dose is offered at least six months after the previous dose or three months after a COVID-19 infection. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Booster dose coverage" comment="subhead" text="Booster dose coverage">Booster dose coverage</cmsannotation> Amid Covid fears, the government is also taking steps to boost the coverage of the first booster dose in the country. India started its booster or precaution dose drive in January 2022 and has given 15 crore booster doses to people in the age group of 15-59 years; and over 69 crore in the age group of 60 plus years, according to <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/CummulativeCovidVaccinationReport06Jan2023.pdf">data</a> by <keyword id="210071" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-health" source="Orion">ministry of health</keyword>. As of January 6, 2023, around 92 crore adults have taken their first dose, while 86 crore vaccines have been administered a second dose in India. Additionally, over 6 crore children aged between 15-18 years have received the first dose, and over 5 crore children in this age group have received the second dose. In the age group of 12 to 14, around 4 crore children have received the first dose, and 3 crore have received the second dose. Other than Covaxin (by Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (by Serum Insitute of India), the government has also approved two more vaccines — Corbevax (by Biological E) and a nasal vaccine named as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-19-nasal-vaccine-bharat-biotechs-incovacc-is-the-first-approved-intranasal-vaccine-in-the-world/slidelist/96542239.cms">iNCOVACC</a> (by Bharat Biotech) as booster dose. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="People reluctant to take booster dose" comment="subhead" text="People reluctant to take booster dose">People reluctant to take booster dose</cmsannotation> Even as discussions around the fourth vaccine are going on, people in various states are reluctant to get their precaution doses. In fact, as per <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/discussions-begin-in-govt-panel-on-2nd-booster-dose-101672684219149.html">reports</a>, currently only 28% of the eligible population in India has taken the first booster dose. The West Bengal health department also saw the number of booster dose nosedive, which led to 80,000 Covaxin vaccines expiring by December last year. As per <a href="https://ians.in/news/public-reluctance-to-go-for-covid-booster-dose-worries-bengal-govt/C-1-1550083.html">IANS</a>, the WB health department said that over seven crore people went for the first dose, but the number slid down for the second dose. However, when it came to the third dose aka the booster dose, the number fell to just 1.5 crore. The department official also said this reluctance of people will further lead to more expiration of Covid-19 vaccines in January. A <a href="https://ians.in/news/over-6-in-10-indians-avoiding-covid-booster-due-to-heart-attack-fears-report/C-1-1545504.html">LocalCircles survey</a> also revealed that 64% of Indians are reluctant to take the booster dose of Covid vaccine. The major reason cited by people is rising cases of heart attacks in young people. However, as cases are rising the demand for Covid-19 vaccine seems to be surging and in fact, states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh reported a vaccine shortage. "Since the Covid cases had dropped drastically, people had started taking Covid-19 lightly and were less enthusiastic in taking booster doses, so the government, too, was keeping a low stock. As of Monday (December 26) there are 35,000 vaccine bottles available with the state government," <a href="https://ians.in/news/sudden-surge-in-demand-for-vaccine-leads-to-shortage-in-gujarat/C-1-1546640.html">said</a> Nilam Patel, additional director (Health), government of Gujarat. Patel further said, “Till the first week of December (2022), on an average 3,000 vaccinations were taking place on a daily basis but since December 15, all of a sudden, people were turning up in large numbers to take the booster dose." Similarly, the health department of Uttar Pradesh also reported that four government vaccine centres ran out of Covid vaccines, on Wednesday, January 4. However, the department has placed a fresh order of the Covid-19 vaccines and expects it to come by next week. "More than 10 lakh vaccines will be arriving in the state shortly to fulfill the demand across the state. We are also monitoring the COVID-19 situation," Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of UP told <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/uttar-pradesh-lucknow-government-hopital-run-out-of-covid-doses-india-15580451.htm">PTI</a>. A new <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/newsblogs/covid-outbreak-live-news-coronavirus-india-china-cases-latest-updates-5-january-2023/liveblog/96752025.cms">report</a> also reveals that around 11 types of Covid-19 variant were found in India, when testing international passengers at airports, seaports and landports between December 24 and January 3. (With inputs from PTI and IANS) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/kreditbee-closes-200-million-series-d-from-advent-international-mufg-bank-others/articleshow/96791309.cms">KreditBee closes $200 million Series D from Advent International, MUFG Bank, others</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/reliance-makes-open-offer-to-acquire-26-stake-in-lotus-chocolate/articleshow/96791043.cms">Reliance makes open offer to acquire 26% stake in Lotus Chocolate</a>

India mulls 2nd Covid booster even as coverage of first dose remains feeble

<ul><li>A new study claims that Covid vaccine protection is short-lived.</li><li><keyword id="44612" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pfizer" source="Orion">Pfizer</keyword> and <keyword id="4912868" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="moderna" source="Orion">Moderna</keyword> vaccines offer a longer duration of protection, says a new study.</li><li>In India, <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> will be available for free from July 15 till the next 75 days</li></ul>Vaccine protection against Covid-19 is short-lived and, therefore, <keyword id="11223232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="booster-shots" source="Orion">booster shots</keyword> are important, says a new study. "The mRNA vaccines produce the highest levels of antibody response and in our analysis confer more durable protection than other vaccines or exposures," said lead author Jeffrey Townsend from Yale University, in the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "However, it is important to remember that natural immunity and vaccination are not mutually exclusive. Many people will have partial immunity from multiple sources, so understanding the relative durability is key to deciding when to provide a boost to your immune system," Townsend added. Since Covid-19 vaccines first became available to protect against infection and severe illness, there has been much uncertainty about how long the protection lasts and when it might be necessary for individuals to get an additional booster shot. For the study, the team quantified the likelihood of future infection following natural infection or vaccination by the Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson &amp; Johnson, or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The risk of breakthrough infections, in which a person becomes infected despite being vaccinated, depends on the vaccine type. According to the study, current mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) offer the greatest duration of protection, nearly three times as long as natural infection and the Johnson &amp; Johnson and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/hdfcs-net-profit-grows-by-19-other-income-grows-by-35/articleshow/92918390.cms">HDFC’s net profit grows by 19%, other income grows by 35%</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-at-80-heres-how-a-falling-rupee-could-impact-indias-current-account-deficit/articleshow/92897064.cms">Rupee at 80: Here’s how a falling Rupee could impact India's current account deficit</a>

Booster shots important says new study as Covid vaccine protection is short-lived

As of now no second Covid-19 booster dose is required, said government sources amid an apparent increase in Covid-19 cases. "First we have to complete the booster drive in the country," said the government sources. India's active caseload currently stands at 2,582, with 134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, as per <keyword id="83655" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="union-health-ministry" source="Orion">Union Health Ministry</keyword> data. As per ministry data, a total of 220.11 cr vaccine doses (95.13 cr <keyword id="7334317" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="second-dose" source="Orion">Second Dose</keyword> and 22.41 cr <keyword id="12813770" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="precaution-dose" source="Orion">Precaution Dose</keyword>) have been administered so far under <keyword id="10580665" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nationwide-vaccination-drive" source="Orion">Nationwide Vaccination Drive</keyword>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/series-creators-want-more-money-after-ads-appear-on-netflix/articleshow/96700323.cms">Series creators want more money after ads appear on Netflix</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/pope-benedict-xvi-a-man-at-odds-with-the-modern-world-who-leaves-a-legacy-of-intellectual-brilliance-and-controversy/articleshow/96699003.cms">Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy</a>

No second Covid-19 booster dose required: Govt sources

<ul><li>DCGI has approved market authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine <keyword id="10678894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covovax" source="Orion">Covovax</keyword> as a heterologous booster dose for adults.</li><li>The DCGI's approval came following recommendations by the <keyword id="3923779" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="subject-expert-committee" source="Orion">Subject Expert Committee</keyword> of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (<keyword id="6375144" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cdsco" source="Orion">CDSCO</keyword>).</li></ul>The <keyword id="6386816" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="drug-controller-general-of-india" source="Orion">Drug Controller General of India</keyword> (DCGI ) has approved market authorisation to COVID-19 vaccine Covovax as a heterologous booster dose for adults who have been administered two doses of <keyword id="9617748" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="covishield" source="Orion">Covishield</keyword> or <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword>, official sources said on Monday. The DCGI's approval came following recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Prakash Kumar Singh, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the <keyword id="95879" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="serum-institute-of-india" source="Orion">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (<keyword id="52604" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sii" source="Orion">SII</keyword>), had recently written to the DCGI for the approval of Covovax heterologous booster dose for those aged 18 years and above in view of escalating COVID-19 pandemic situation in some countries, an official source had said. "The Subject Expert Committee of the CDSCO on Wednesday deliberated on the issue and had recommended for market authorisation of Covid jab Covovax as a heterologous booster dose for adults who have been administered two doses of Covishield or Covaxin," an official source said. The DCGI had approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28, 2021, in the 12-17 age group on March 9, 2022, and in children aged 7- 11 years on June 28 last year subject to certain conditions. Covovax is manufactured through technology transfer from Novavax. It has been approved by the European Medicines Agency for conditional marketing authorisation. It was granted emergency-use listing by the <keyword id="43588" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="Orion">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) on December 17, 2021. In August 2020, US-based vaccine maker Novavax Inc. had announced a licence agreement with the SII for the development and commercialization of NVX-CoV2373, its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> and low-and-middle-income countries. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/amazon-great-republic-day-sale-2023-best-deals-and-offers-on-tvs/articleshow/96987966.cms">Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2023 – Best deals and offers on TVs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/these-audio-setting-tweaks-can-make-music-sound-better-on-spotify/articleshow/96876010.cms">These audio setting tweaks can make music sound better on Spotify</a>

Serum Institute's Covovax gets DCGI approval as a heterologous booster dose

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is likely to reduce the gap between the second dose and the <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> from nine months to six months.</li><li>This decision might come soon for people travelling abroad as countries have started mandating a third dose.</li><li>Health experts have also said that reducing the gap between both the doses will also help in speeding up the booster dose drive in the country.</li></ul>India is reportedly considering allowing people who are travelling abroad to get their booster doses early i.e before completing nine months of gap between the second and booster dose of COVID-19. According to a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid19-some-outbound-flyers-may-be-able-to-get-boosters-early-101651714101322.html">report</a> by Hindustan Times, the gap between second dose and booster dose may be reduced to six months from nine months. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">Health ministry</keyword> may set out this new rule keeping in mind the countries requiring travellers to have been administered a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the report, several people have appealed to the central government lately to reduce the gap because many countries have started mandating a third dose for international travellers travelling for jobs, education, or business. Also, many health experts have also said that reducing the gap between both the doses will also help in speeding up the booster dose drive in the country. According to the data by the Health Ministry, around 105 billion people were eligible for a booster shot, as of May 1, 2022, however, only 28.3 million people have only taken it. “The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is looking at the data to see if it is good to reduce the gap from existing nine months. They might prioritise those who urgently need a booster for the purpose of travel as many countries have made it a requirement for travel. However, the ultimate decision will be based on the opinion of experts on the technical panel,” told a senior government official to HT in case of anonymity. One of the other reasons behind this is that reducing the gap will also help in bringing down the number of vaccine wastage and reduced immunity in people. Due to lack of people to administer, the number of vaccine wastage is increasing. Several studies have suggested that the level of antibody declines over time in the vaccinated population, which shows an urgent need for booster shots to protect the people from getting infected. NTAGI members, on Wednesday, had a discussion on reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose and opening up the vaccination drive for children below the age of 11 years. However, no final decision was taken by the body on both the matters. India started the booster dose vaccination drive for healthline workers and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/booster-shots-against-covid-19-for-all-adults-to-be-available-from-april-10/articleshow/90728511.cms">people aged above 60 years</a> from January 10, 2022. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/cognizants-latest-earnings-have-a-silver-lining-for-indian-it-majors-tcs-infosys-and-wipro/articleshow/91334290.cms">Cognizant’s latest earnings have a silver lining for Indian IT majors TCS, Infosys and Wipro</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/second-day-to-subscribe-to-lic-ipo-post-poor-demand-on-day-1-and-gmp-falls-to-65/articleshow/91324706.cms">LIC IPO: Second day to subscribe to the issue post poor demand on Day 1; GMP falls to ₹65</a>

India may consider reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose of COVID-19 for those travelling abroad

<ul><li>The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine.</li><li>The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots.</li><li>Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response.</li></ul>Amid heated debates on whether people should be told to get booster shots of vaccine, in the face of a fresh outbreak of Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, a new article published in the Lancet weighs in favour of additional jabs. This was based on a study of those who got Covishied, developed by Astrazeneca and sold by the Serum Institute in India. The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine. Reduced effectiveness can be read as higher chances of need for hospitalisation and even deaths. The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots. This may be significant for India as the biggest chunk of those vaccinated in the country have been given Covishield jabs. As of December 21, 2021, more than 89% of the vaccine doses administered in India were Covishield. Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response. In Brazil, the vaccine effectiveness was found to be generally lower as compared to Scotland. The randomised trials revealed that the vaccine’s effectiveness improved up to 4-5 weeks after the second dose and started decreasing at 18-19 weeks. The report further highlighted that the patterns for COVID hospitalisation and deaths were broadly similar in both the countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/meta-files-lawsuit-against-over-39000-websites-to-disrupt-phishing-attacks-designed-to-steal-login-credentials-of-its-users/articleshow/88405129.cms">Meta files lawsuit against over 39,000 websites to disrupt phishing attacks designed to steal login credentials of its users</a>

Lancet article makes a case that those who took Covishield vaccine need booster shots

<ul><li>SII chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla emphasised that a third booster shot of <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> is a “must” for people with weak immune systems.</li><li>The US government last week approved the third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.</li><li>Meanwhile, <keyword id="6366244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="who">WHO</keyword> and SII have confirmed the existence of fake Covishield vials in India and Africa.</li></ul><keyword id="242973" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute">Serum Institute</keyword> of Indi's (SII) chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla has said that a third shot or a ‘booster dose’ of COVID-19 vaccine is desirable six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine. This is especially a “must” for those with weak immune systems, news agency PTI reported. SII makes India's primary COVID-19 vaccine, locally known as Covishield. Poonawalla also revealed that he, along with 7,000 employees of SII, have already taken the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure. “After six months, the antibodies go down and that is why I have taken the third dose. We have given the third dose to our seven to eight thousand SII employees. For those who have completed the second dose, it is my request to take a booster dose (third dose) after six months,” Poonawalla said. This development comes a week after the government of the United States (US) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-is-eligible-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-us-2021-08-15/">approved</a> the third/booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems. Now, Pfizer and BioNTech have also <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/16/covid-vaccine-booster-shot-pfizer-submits-data-to-fda-for-approval.html">submitted</a> preliminary clinical data — evaluating the safety and efficacy of a third shot — to US health authorities to seek authorisation for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans and not just the ones with weakened immune systems. "The data we've seen to date suggest a third dose of our vaccine elicits antibody levels that significantly exceed those seen after the two-dose primary schedule,'' Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairperson and chief executive officer, said in a statement. The menace of fake vaccine vials continues Another major issue that has been surrounding the Indian vaccination drive has been the administration or availability of fake COVID-19 vaccines in India. The <keyword id="6356311" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) has <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58253488">identified</a> counterfeit versions of Covishield in India and Africa. As per the BBC report, the doses were seized by authorities in India and Africa between July and August. Even vaccine maker <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> has confirmed, to WHO, that the vaccine was fake. Multiple media reports, published in the past months, have also highlighted the existence of a vaccine scam in India under which victims were given saline water in lieu of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health minister of Maharashtra Rajesh Tope also <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/mumbai/story/mumbai-covid-vaccination-scam-victims-given-saline-water-antibody-test-first-week-july-1820847-2021-06-29">confirmed</a> the scam, and ensured that the victims would undergo antibody tests and will be administered with two doses of Covishield vaccine. Covishield is the local name of Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine and has been administered to more than 48.6 crore Indians, as per government data, as of August 17, 2021. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/a-third-of-internet-users-would-be-actively-shopping-online-by-the-end-of-this-decade-offline-retail-to-take-a-back-seat/articleshow/85390712.cms">A third of internet users would be actively shopping online by the end of this decade, offline retail to take a back seat</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/with-pharmeasy-mobikwik-and-ixigo-all-set-to-hit-the-public-market-orios-plans-to-go-deeper-into-pre-ipo-bets/articleshow/85359703.cms">With PharmEasy, MobiKwik and ixigo all set to hit the public market, Orios plans to go deeper into pre-IPO bets</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tamil-nadu-government-is-upset-about-losing-money-on-luxury-cars/articleshow/85322536.cms">Tamil Nadu government is upset about losing money on luxury cars</a>

WHO confirms existence of fake Covishield vaccines in India; Serum Institute pushes for a booster shot

<ul><li><keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> may be a milder variant than Delta but it’s too soon to be sure of that.</li><li>If you haven’t taken the first two shots of the vaccine, the risk of infection and hospitalisation is higher.</li><li>Taking a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may provide better protection against the virus.</li><li>The third wave of COVID-19 infections may peak in India by February first week.</li><li>Countries like the US and UK have refrained from imposing stringent restrictions on people’s movement despite rising cases.</li></ul>There are at least 5 learnings emerging from different countries facing the third wave of COVID-19 infections where the most number of cases are that of the latest variant, Omicron. First, Omicron is likely to be a milder variant although the World Health Organisation has said that it needs more data to make that point conclusively. Moreover the emergence of a new variant called <keyword id="12876991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ihu" source="Orion">IHU</keyword>, discovered by researchers in France, which is likely to be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/new-covid-19-variant-named-ihu-discovered-in-france-said-to-be-stronger-than-omicron/amp_articleshow/88685048.cms">stronger than Omicron</a>, has increased the need for caution. Second, the WHO has said that the risk of infection and the potential need for hospitalisation is higher for those who have not taken the vaccines. Third, India’s covid cases would peak by February 2 <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Country </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total Cases </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">New Cases </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Death toll </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">USA </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5,71,31,187 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4,26,051 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+767 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">UK </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,34,22,815 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,57,758 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+42 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Spain </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">66,67,511 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+93,190 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+42 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Italy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">63,96,110 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+68,052 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+140 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">France </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,03,17,819 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+67,461 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+270 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Turkey </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">95,97,670 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+44,869 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+160 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Argentine </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">57,39,326 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+44,396 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+41 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3,49,60,261 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+37,379 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+124 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: Worldometers Note: Data, as of January 3, 2022 The forecast, from researchers at IIT Kanpur, is based on the assumption that India will follow the trends of rise in cases seen in other countries. The research also used the rate of increase in cases from the first and second waves in India. Fourth, a booster dose may be needed New studies conducted in the United Kingdom have<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/omicron-chart-protection-2-3-vaccine-booster-effectiveness-hospitalization-symptomatic-2022-1"> revealed</a> that the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine may be necessary to boost a person’s resistance to the Omicron variant by as much as 88%. This is a significantly higher degree of protection against the latest variant when compared to the second dose, whose effectiveness begins to reduce after a period of six months. Oxford<a href="https://theprint.in/health/booster-dose-of-covishield-can-increase-antibody-levels-against-omicron-oxford-study-says/786422/"> has said </a>that a third booster shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria is necessary to boost the antibody levels. Covershield is the Indian version of Vaxzevria, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) Fifth, night curfews are useless and other countries have refrained from stringent restrictions on movement of people. Even though the US and UK are recording high covid-19 cases on a daily basis, the countries have decided not to introduce any new restrictions. However, work from home has once again become a norm in these countries. Many states in India, on the other hand, have proactively imposed night curfews, weekend lockdowns and other such restrictions in order to beat the third wave. Whereas, the need may be to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in places, and at times, when crowds do gather for business or otherwise. Even now, large crowds sans social distancing, and people without masks on the street, is not a rare sight in India. However, the policy response has been limited to night curfews. WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, in a TV interview, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/no-science-behind-night-curfews-in-india-whos-swaminathan-1066559.html">noted</a> that there is no science behind night curfews when it comes to tackling Covid-9. "Entertainment venues are places where these viruses spread the most. It's natural to bring in some restrictions there," he added. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-tests-positive-for-covid-19/articleshow/88679427.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tests positive for COVID-19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/infoedge-and-zomatos-deepinder-goyal-invested-money-in-geniemode-10-month-old-tech-startup/articleshow/88683920.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">After Deepinder Goyal and Kunal Shah, Info Edge backs this 10-month-old tech startup</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ongc-appoints-alka-mittal-as-chairperson-and-managing-director/slidelist/88681434.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet Alka Mittal, the first woman to head oil giant ONGC</a>

From new variant IHU to utility of booster doses ⁠— these are five lessons India can learn from the third wave of COVID-19 in other countries

New Delhi, As India gets readied for a <keyword id="10424473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="massive-covid-vaccination-programme">massive Covid vaccination programme</keyword>, heath experts on Sunday said that 21 days is an ideal gap between the first and the <keyword id="10424474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-booster-dose">second booster dose</keyword>, and those who get vaccinated have to maintain the same health hygiene as they are supposed to do sans vaccine for a certain time period. Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said that 30 crore people have been listed in prioritised population groups, which involves one crore healthcare workers, two crore personnel from the police department, armed forces, home guard, civil defence organisation and 27 crore people above the age of 50 and below 50 with co-morbidities. The government is expected to roll out its <keyword id="9849917" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="first-vaccines">first vaccines</keyword> in the next few weeks with at least three candidates under the <keyword id="6681091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="active-consideration">active consideration</keyword> of India's drug regulator. According to Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, after taking the first dose, the second dose has to be ideally taken on the 21st day. "After the vaccination, one can resume their normal day to day activities. In between also, there are no guidelines to sit at home and people can carry on their usual activities by taking the basic precautions like social distancing, wearing a mask and frequent sanitising of hands," Goel told IANS. The Union Health Ministry had said that 1.54 lakh vaccinators or auxiliary nurse midwives will administer the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> vaccine to people under the universal immunisation programme when the vaccination process begins. According to Dr Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi, there are a number of vaccines which have different schedules and these vaccine schedules are determined by clinical trials. "Talking about Pfizer vaccine in this regard, two doses are suggested 21 days apart and two doses 28 days apart for AstraZeneca vaccine. Also, the proper rest and precautions are suggested during this period in order to avoid infection and proper care," she told IANS. Dr Mutta also stressed that staying at home is not particularly defined as a precautionary measure but complete care is recommended. "Taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and hand hygiene is important to avoid infection," she noted. Dr Neha Gupta, Infectious Diseases Physician at Medanta Hosptial in Gurugram told IANS: "Vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart and usually the protective efficacy is seven days after the second dose. So, patients need to continue precautions after the first dose of vaccine." There are as many as eight <keyword id="8983421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-vaccine">Covid vaccine</keyword> candidates under different stages of clinical trials which could be ready for authorisation in near future. The vaccines include Covaxin, Astrazeneca and Oxford university developed and Serum Institute of India manufactured <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword>, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila, Russian vaccine candidate Sputnik-V, NVX-CoV2373 by SII, HGCO19 by Geneva, and two unlabelled vaccines - Recombinant Protein antigen-based vaccine by Biological E Limited and Inactivated rabies vector platform by <keyword id="7330627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech-Limited">Bharat Biotech Limited</keyword>. Pune-based Serum Institute of India and Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech have already applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for their potential Covid-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/dos-and-donts-during-solar-eclipse-surya-grahan/articleshow/76436997.cms">The do’s and don’ts of a Solar Eclipse — here what you need to know to protect yourself</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/solar-eclipse-december-2020-time-date-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79697355.cms">The total solar eclipse and its 'diamond rings' won't be visible in India on December 14</a>

You Searched For "booster dose in india" and got 9 results

India mulls 2nd Covid booster even as coverage of first dose remains feeble

Vaamanaa Sethi

Booster shots important says new study as Covid vaccine protection is short-lived

IANS

No second Covid-19 booster dose required: Govt sources

ANI

Serum Institute's Covovax gets DCGI approval as a heterologous booster dose

PTI

India may consider reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose of COVID-19 for those travelling abroad

Vaamanaa Sethi

Lancet article makes a case that those who took Covishield vaccine need booster shots

BI India Bureau

WHO confirms existence of fake Covishield vaccines in India; Serum Institute pushes for a booster shot

Kritti Bhalla

From new variant IHU to utility of booster doses ⁠— these are five lessons India can learn from the third wave of COVID-19 in other countries

Kritti Bhalla

Experts believe COVID-19 vaccine doses need a at least a 21-day gap between them

IANS

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