India’s covid booster vaccine drive is confused

For every 1,000 people, India manages only 32 boosters, or only 3% of the population. Looking at the same chart for comparable emerging markets (EMs), you can see the extent of the delay. China (547 times), Brazil (500 times), Mexico (408 times), Indonesia (175 times), Philippines (132 times) It is far ahead of India. Even neighboring Pakistan and Bangladesh are doing better with the World Health Organization warning that the pandemic is “far from the end” and the surge in new Covid cases in 110 countries.

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India’s large population is not the only reason for its low per capita coverage. In absolute numbers, India has less booster effect (45 million) than China, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia, while Bangladesh and Pakistan have already recorded more than half of that.

“These numbers aren’t proud,” said T. Jacob John, a former professor of clinical virology at the Christian Medical College in Bellor.

An important point to note here is that most of the countries participating in the analysis launched booster campaigns between October and December 2021. However, India carried out its first booster shot on January 10th this year and by April 10th it had expanded its eligibility to everyone. Adults who took a second covid-19 shot at least 9 months ago.

Recently, the center has expressed concern about the low utilization of booster doses. “People need to understand that prophylactic doses are essential for building additional coverage of protection, especially in people with comorbidities. In connection with the recent increase in Covid’s symptomatic treatment, This will be very important. “

Booster shot utilization is particularly low for people aged 18-59 (7.3 per 1,000), showing official data. As of July 3, Delhi, Bihar, and Haryana were leading the trend in this age group, with doses of 64, 29, and 26 doses per 1,000 doses, respectively.

Authoritative scientific research consistently emphasizes the importance of getting a booster. In India, the number of active cases has skyrocketed in the last two weeks. On June 29, India recorded more than 18,000 cases. This was the best since February this year. As of July 3, the number of active coronavirus cases was 111,711, which is the third consecutive day of active numbers exceeding 100,000 in Japan.

Where did India fail in its booster deployment policy? Vaccine top expert Mint said vaccine shortages are no longer a concern, and low coverage means lack of official communication when taking booster benefits home, vague policies, and vaccines for adults. Follow-up of side effects said it shows a combination of lack of proper system for inoculation. They added that the inertia of the general public due to poor health education also contributed to the decline in numbers.

“A key issue with government communication was that we couldn’t argue with the perception that vaccines are’useless’because they can be transmitted after vaccination,” said Shahid, one of India’s top virologists. Jameel said in an interview. Infection depends on the vaccine and declines over time. All vaccines work well to protect against serious illnesses, “he explained.

Unlike the universal immune program for children, there is no established device for immunization of adults. According to Jacob John, this leads to information asymmetry about adverse events, listening to rumors and fostering hesitation in being jabbed. “Imagine someone offering free ice cream, but there is no guarantee that it is safe and uncontaminated. Can you take it?”

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