India Doesn't Prioritize Vaccine Boosters Yet

"A big majority has been naturally infected, and for the two doses are enough. That's why we are seeing that even after recent festivals, cases are not rising."

The source said once most of the adult population had been fully vaccinated, the government would make booster doses an option.

The local health ministry has not yet commented on this.

India reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the world in April-May. Government surveys show that nearly 70 percent of Indians had a natural infection in July.

The country has so far recorded 34.5 million cases of infection, the most after the United States, with 465,000 more deaths.

Although India celebrates the two biggest holidays of Diwali and Durga Puja in October and November, cases of infection have dropped dramatically over the months.

Many Western countries are now expanding booster vaccinations, even to non-immune populations. The policy has been sharply criticized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Indian vaccine manufacturers such as the Serum Institute of India -- which manufactures licensed versions of the AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines -- expect the government to allow booster doses early next year.