This story is from September 22, 2021

Demand for booster dose growing amongst medicos

Demand for booster dose growing amongst medicos
Nagpur: The demand for the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine is now getting strong amongst the healthcare workers in Vidarbha. Many of them will complete six month period after their second dose by September-end and early October.
As many countries like UK have already started administering the third dose to healthcare workers; doctors in Nagpur are also keen to get the jab to maintain the antibody level.

“There is no harm in taking a booster dose. The problem is limited supply and a lot of people still have not received the second dose,” said infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde.
“I think third dose is the only way we would be able to defend better against the Delta variant. Now onwards, delta will dominate the world. Initially, third dose can be offered to those who haven’t developed natural infection,” he added.
Dr Shinde said that UK will offer third dose of Covid vaccine from September 2021 to adults above 16 years who are immunosuppressed; people living in residential care homes, all adults above 70 yrs of age, all frontline and health care workers, and all those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
Experts told TOI that the demand for the third dose will come from the other sections of society in next two months. Front line workers, senior citizens will also complete six months post second dose by December this year. Many of them may ask for the third dose for safety.

“The government should form a policy to deal with the demand of booster dose which is going to escalate in future. It may make the third dose voluntary or paid for those who need it. But, we can’t ignore this demand anymore,” said Dr Ramakant Patil from Akola.
An important trial of mix-and-match of Covaxin’s nasal vaccine and injectable vaccine is under way in Vidarbha which can be a game changer. Experts said that a nasal vaccine after six months of second jab can offer a good protection. “Nasal vaccines create local antibodies. Virus is neutralized before it enters the body. In this way, they can stop all breakthrough infections. Hence, we must expedite this process,” said Dr Nitin Shinde.
Vaccination is going on in full swing across the country and in Vidarbha too. Government sources said that they are still some pockets in Vidarbha where vaccination is yet to achieve the expected coverage.
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About the Author
Chaitanya Deshpande

Chaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He has a PG degree in English literature and Mass communication. Chaitanya covers public health, medical issues, medical education, research in the fields of medicine, microbiology, biotechnology. He also covers culture, fine arts, theatre, folk arts, literature, and life. Proficient in Marathi and Hindi along with English, Chaitanya loves music, theatre and literature of all three languages.

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