Omicron threat: Centre launches study to ascertain need for COVID-19 booster dose

Amid the looming threat of Omicron in the country, the Centre has now prompted a study of 3,000 individuals who received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines to determine the need for a booster dose.

Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) under the Department of Biotechnology is going to be conducting this study. 

The participants who have already received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be given booster doses to determine the impact on their immunity level. The study is expected to cover all three vaccines that are currently being administered in India - Covishield, Covaxin, and Sputnik V.

According to a source, the study will include people above 40 years of age, below 40 years of age, people infected with COVID-19 before vaccination, and people with co-morbid conditions. The hospitals involved in the study will be submitting the report on blood samples along with the analysis on the requirement of booster doses in India, said the source.

Amid the everyday rise of Omicron cases in India, the need for a booster dose has been voiced by many institutions. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had earlier said that the decision on booster dose in India will be taken based on scientific data and analysis. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is expected to meet in the first week of January to take a call on the same.

Meanwhile, 358 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been reported across 17 states of the country so far, Union health Secretary said on December 24. The total recoveries stand at 114.