Centre clears 'no mix-match vaccine' for precautionary dose
Union Health Ministry clarified that booster doses will be the same as the first, Covishield or Covaxin which are largely used in India. India also has approved eight vaccines including Moderna and Johnson and Johnson.
FollowThe Union government on Wednesday announced that there would be no mix-match of Covid vaccines when administering precautionary doses for the eligible elderly population.
Addressing the media, NITI Aayog official member-health Dr VK Paul said, "Precautionary Covid-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as has been given previously. Those who have received Covaxin will receive Covaxin; those who've received primary two doses of Covishield will receive Covishield."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month announced the precautionary dose for healthcare workers and those above 60 years with comorbidities, starting January 10 after examining the numbers of Covid-19 infections and the threat of Omicron in the country.
Meanwhile, vaccination for teenagers between 15-18 years began Monday, with Bharat Biotech's Covaxin the only option. The government has given a green flag to Zydus Cadila's ZyCov-D for kids, but it's still unclear when it will be available.
India has approved eight vaccines on paper, including Moderna, Johnson & Johnson. Still, only two vaccines are used on a large scale -- Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.
Two more vaccines, Corbevax and Covovax, have been granted authorisation. Corbevax is India's first homegrown 'RBD protein subunit vaccine,' and Covovax is the antiviral drug Molnupiravir. But both vaccines are unlikely to be used as a booster shot in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) previously had advised that people should get the same vaccine (booster shot) they were initially given. The government's decision to not mix the vaccine was a follow-up. WHO said, mixing and matching vaccines should only be done if there is a supply constraint. Vaccine mixing or combinations were already used by a few governments and this could help low-and middle-income countries manage the stockpiles and deal with vaccine shortages as the Omicron variant spreads.
European Union regulators have endorsed the mixing and matching two different Covid-19 vaccines for the initial vaccine schedules and boosters.
