India Doesn't Prioritize Vaccine Boosters Yet

jpnn.com, INDIA - India does not plan to provide a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

According to them, many Indians have naturally become infected and the government believes two doses of the vaccine are sufficient protection for now.

As the supply of vaccines increases, some doctors and public health experts in India are urging the government to start a third dose of vaccination in the most vulnerable people as many Western countries have done.

However, the government prefers to focus on vaccinating 944 million adults with two doses by January.

After that, they will turn their attention to expanding exports, said the sources involved in the vaccine policy discussions.

So far, 81 percent of the adult population in India have received at least one dose, and 43 percent have received the full dose.

India has not yet started vaccinating people under the age of 18.

"The priority is to fully immunize the adult population," said a source, who asked not to be named because the issue is still being discussed by policymakers.