News Analysis India

Tag: COVID outbreak

  • Gap between second dose of COVID jab, precaution dose to be reduced to six months soon

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government is likely to soon reduce the gap between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the precaution dose from the current nine months to six months, official sources said on Wednesday.

    A recommendation on lessening the gap is expected to be made by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) which is set to hold a meeting on April 29, they told PTI.

    Studies at ICMR and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody level wanes after about six months from the primary vaccination with both doses and giving a booster increases the immune response.

    All those above the age of 18 who have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose are eligible for the precaution dose.

    “Taking into account the scientific evidence and findings of the studies done here and internationally, the gap between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the precaution dose will most likely be reduced from the current nine months to six months soon.

    A final decision will be taken based on the recommendations by the NTAGI which is set to meet on Friday,” a source in the know of the developments told PTI.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The government removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose in March.

    According to health ministry data, 5,17,547 precaution doses have been administered in age group 18-59 years so far.

    Besides, 4736567 healthcare workers, 7447184 frontline workers and 14545595 individuals aged 60 and above have taken the precaution shot.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years at private vaccination centres.

  • COVID-19: Priyanka Gandhi calls PM Modi the ‘pilot who pressed eject button during emergency’

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday over the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, describing him as the “pilot who had his photo plastered on boarding passes only to press the eject button during an emergency”.

    The Congress-led opposition has been criticising the government over its handling of the pandemic and the vaccination drive, while the Centre has maintained that its timely steps have been instrumental in fighting COVID-19.

    “Shocking that while COVID ravages India, from being a vaccine exporter, it has been compelled to become a vaccine importer undoing 70 years of government effort,” Priyanka Gandhi tweeted.

    “@narendramodi: the pilot who had his photo plastered on boarding passes only to press the eject button during an emergency,” the Congress general secretary said in another tweet.

    Shocking that while COVID ravages India, from being a vaccine exporter, it has been compelled to become a vaccine importer undoing 70 years of govt effort.@narendramodi : the pilot who had his photo plastered on boarding passes only to press the eject button during an emergency
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 17, 2021

    There was no immediate reaction from BJP leaders.

    Priyanka Gandhi also stressed the importance of RT-PCR testing to combat COVID-19 spread in Uttar Pradesh.

    “In UP, infection has increased seven times in 10 days. Now, it is also moving towards villages. There is a terrible shortage of tests in cities and RT-PCR is less than half of them while the rest are antigen. One has to wait for testing in Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, Benaras, Allahabad also.

    If the state is to be saved, do maximum RT-PCR testing,” she said.

    Priyanka Gandhi’s attack on the government came amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases in the country with over two lakh new infections daily in the last three days.