Centre looking into need for COVID-19 vaccine boosters: Dr VK Paul

He said it must be taken as a work in progress as science is still emerging in this area.

At the same time, Paul also noted that the WHO has called for a moratorium on booster doses.

Responding to a question on the need for giving booster Covid-19 vaccine dose, Paul said at a press briefing that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) held a discussion on the booster dose issue at its last meeting.

“I would say we are watching the science for the need for such imperative very carefully, global work as well as you may know that certain studies in the country are being instituted and we are looking at it very deeply.

“As you know, WHO has called for a moratorium for booster doses so let us watch this and see how it can be taken forward,” he said.

He also stressed that people should get the second dose of the vaccine for complete protection.

“Those with comorbidities or who are getting treatment for cancer, they should especially make sure that they are vaccinated,” he said.

Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, “Even if we take the vaccine, we need to keep taking necessary precautions. ”