Allow Us To Take Booster Doses, Say Health Workers

New Delhi: Amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the delay in deciding whether a booster shot of the vaccine against Covid-19 should be allowed in India has left healthcare and frontline workers worried.

Several healthcare workers said they should be administered the additional dose for two reasons. First, they were among the first in the country to take the shot and several studies suggest that the immunity generated by the vaccines reduces with time. Secondly, they are on the forefront in managing Covid-19 cases caused by the new variant and needed extra protection if it were to spread widely.

“It’s been over 10 months since we took the vaccine. So, I feel that booster doses should be allowed for healthcare workers at the earliest,” said S Christine, a nursing officer at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital.

Dr Dinesh Gora, senior resident at AIIMS Trauma Centre, said studies show that with time, antibody levels decrease and only T-memory cells last. “Booster doses will definitely reduce positivity and complication rates,” he added.

Many countries have allowed booster doses for both healthcare workers and immuno-compromised patients, Dr Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant, pulmonary medicine and critical care, Apollo Hospital, said, adding that India should allow it too without any further delay.

Sources said many healthcare workers were secretly taking additional doses of vaccine against Covid-19 to protect themselves.

“The vials have 11 doses. I know doctors who have taken the leftover doses,” a source said. He added that the government should allow it legally, at least for healthcare workers, because they are leading from the front and need extra protection.

A booster dose is essentially an additional dose of the vaccine you have already received. Vaccine manufacturers claim it may be needed for two reasons: first, to provide prolonged immunity and second, to fight off the mutant variants.

Recently, the scientific advisory group appointed by the central government on Covid immunisation held a meeting to decide whether an additional dose should be allowed to those at high risk of infection or severe illness caused by the coronavirus. But the decision was deferred due to a lack of consensus.

“A decision on additional dose for those at high risk of infection and immuno-compromised patients must be taken soon. Also, we need to expedite a decision on vaccinating children. Reports from South Africa, where the Omicron variant is spreading fast, shows many children are also affected,” said Dr R K Tuli, a private practitioner.