Health Minister TS Singhdeo urges Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on vaccine booster dose.

Dispatch News

Raipur. Today, Health Minister TS Singhdeo again wrote to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, reminding him of the semi-official letter sent earlier. He wrote that with the loominy third wave of COVID-19 and the presence of Omicron; the booster dose and vaccination of children below 18 years has become a necessity. Research shows that the new variant is at least 2-3 times more contagious than the delta variant. Even after receiving both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the antibodies present in people affected by Omicron are not fully successful in preventing infection. Therefore, a booster dose is needed. The booster shot will increase immunity by 70-75%. Omicron is affecting the youth and children more. The Health Minister further wrote that, keeping in mind the preliminary results of scientific international research, the Health Care Worker (HCW), Front Line Worker (FLW), those above 60 years of age and having comorbidities should get a booster dose. We would like to take appropriate decisions as soon as possible regarding vaccination of children below 18 years of age as per scientific advice.