Covid Vaccine Booster Doses Need to be Decided Based on Local Evidence
Caste census in Bihar: will it aid developmental work or fuel social divide?
Caste is a deeply rooted factor in Bihar politics. The survey for the much-talked-about caste census began in the state on January 7 and it is likely to be completed by May 31, 2023. How will it affect the state? Will it aid in developmental work as claimed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, or fuel further social divide in the state?
‘Kala Azar’ now confined in only 4 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand; people’s awareness key to eliminate it: Modi
Till recently, the scourge of ‘Kala Azar’ was spread in more than 50 districts across 4 states. But now this disease is confined to only 4 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand. Awareness of the people of Bihar-Jharkhand will help the government’s efforts to eliminate ‘Kala Azar’ from these four districts as well, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
When will India become a developed nation? It will take at least 20 years, says Ex-RBI Governor
There have been several targets and projections for India to become a developed nation. But, when exactly, can India become a developed nation? According to the former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor C Rangarajan, it will take at least two decades of sustained 8 to 9 per cent of annual GDP growth to take India into a developed nation league.
Mudra Yojana: Rs 20.43 lakh crore loan disbursed since inception in 2015
More than 37.76 crore collateral-free loans amounting to over Rs 20.43 lakh crore have been disbursed to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) scheme since its inception in April 2015, the government data shows.
Giriraj Singh calls for need-based skill mapping for employment and training in rural India
Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh has called for need-based skill mapping for employment and training to India’s youth, mainly in the rural areas. The Minister urged to explore means to see how best the traditional trades can be integrated with electronic, education and training, IT & BPO and tourism and hospitality sectors to create more employment opportunities for the youth in the country.
A large number of population in India have not yet been administered Covid vaccine. However, for those who have received the prescribed two doses of the vaccine, the question remains what next? Should they take booster doses? There is no scientifically proven or official guidelines on booster doses, yet. The decision on booster doses should be taken on the basis of local evidence and studies conducted in different parts of the country and not based on the decisions taken in the western countries.
“The requirement of booster dose in our country cannot be decided on the basis of the situation and decisions taken in western countries. Local evidence based on the studies done in different parts of the country will guide the need for our people,” said Dr. N K Arora, Chairman, India’s Covid-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
“This will be considered in the context when 70 to 80 per cent of the population in our country is already infected. Overall a considerate decision will be taken based on the best available scientific evidence with the overall objective to provide optimal protection to our people,” Arora said in an interview to DD News.
The requirement of booster dose in our country cannot be decided on the basis of the situation and decisions taken in western countries. Local evidence based on the studies done in different parts of the country will guide the need for our people
Dr. N K Arora, Chairman, India’s COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI)
Referring to sero-survey conducted in July 2021, Arora said around 70 per cent people in India were found to be infected with Covid-19. “This also means 30 per cent people are still prone to infection; and that they can be infected any time particularly if they are still unvaccinated.”
“Hence any complacency on the part of any of us throughout the country will cost hugely since the 30 per cent people can be infected and many of them can develop severe disease and rarely fatal, like we witnessed during April and May 2021.
Hence, following ‘Covid Appropriate Behaviours’ is absolutely essential and critical, especially with the coming festive season. Emergence of new mutation around this time can also be a reason for the arrival of a third wave.
Almost 30,000 – 45000 daily cases on an average are being reported in our country for last several weeks. This is reported mostly from specific geographic regions, especially Kerala, many North Eastern States and a few districts of Maharashtra and some other southern states. If we follow the genomic analysis of SARS-COV-2 viruses circulating during June, July and August, no new variants have emerged and on the basis of sero-survey conducted during July, the on-going Covid cases represent the susceptible individuals who are not yet immunized; they are affected as part of the last phase of second wave.
According to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 9 September 2021, India’s active caseload stands at 3,93,614. Active cases account for 1.19 per cent of total cases.
According to figures released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 9 September 2021, India’s active caseload stands at 3,93,614. Active cases account for 1.19 per cent of total cases.
The governments across the country have been pushing for vaccination to secure the citizen from Covid-19.
How effective are Covid vaccines in preventing the spread of Coronavirus disease? According to Dr. Arora, “most of the vaccines are not adequately effective in preventing Covid infection and therefore, it is repeatedly emphasized that even after vaccination, the person can spread Covid infection and need for maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour.” The most important value of the Covid-19 vaccines is their effectiveness to prevent severe disease, need for hospitalisation and death. All the vaccines currently available in India and elsewhere are over 90-95 per cent effective for protecting the beneficiary from severe disease and death. This is true for all the variants including the delta virus. Most of the infection occurring in India today is due to Delta virus.
