Insacog proposes booster for all above 40 years

The consortium tasked with genome sequencing in India has recommended booster doses for all those 40 years of age and above, as India steps up vigil against the highly mutated Omicron variant.

Insacog has said that booster shots should first be given to the most high-risk and high-exposure individuals of the above-40 age group.

While the Insacog has suggested vaccination of all remaining unvaccinated at-risk people, it also suggested "consideration of a booster dose for those 40 years of age and over, first targeting the most high-risk, high-exposure," in its weekly bulletin posted on the department of biotechnology website.


The suggestion has been made, as according to the members "low levels of neutralising antibodies from current vaccines are unlikely to be sufficient to neutralise Omicron, although risk of severe disease is still likely to be reduced" . The final decision on booster shots, however, will be taken by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

"In our meeting on Tuesday, some members of the Insacog made a suggestion that the government may look at the possibility of giving booster shots to the vulnerable population. However, at present, there is no such decision which has been taken. The NTAGI will mull over the issue of booster doses in its next meeting," said one of the members.

The member said that offering a booster shot to everyone above 40 years is not on the cards.

The advisory group will contemplate the need for a booster dose to the eligible population and will form guidelines on paediatric immunisation at its next meeting, people in the know told ET.