Limit vaccinations to at-risk population, declare end of the pandemic, says expert task force

India should recommend Covid vaccines only for people with comorbidities or those who have never been infected, a joint task force of medical experts from three leading health organisations has said in a report.

It also said people who have had a Covid infection may not gain any "additional benefits" from either two primary doses, a precautionary dose or any additional doses, as naturally infected individuals have a lower chance of being reinfected and, therefore, of becoming a source of further transmission.

The task force comprised medical experts from Indian Public Health Association (IPHA), Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM) and Indian Association of Epidemiologists (IAE).

They said it is time to declare an end to the pandemic, reassure the population and, at the same time, institute a mechanism for preventing the pharmaceuticals and vaccine industry from "misuse of Covid or any other similar disease in cahoots with self-styled public health experts and scientists."

Better immunity from natural infection
"Vaccination should be recommended for those having comorbidities or those who never had Covid-19," experts said in their fifth joint statement on Covid-19.

"Unnecessary and irrational use of vaccination against Covid-19 will divert resources and attention from other pressing public health tasks. Resources, both financial and human, saved from avoiding unnecessary vaccination and other unnecessary interventions can be better used for strengthening public healthcare facilities. This would help deal not only with the current pandemic but also be useful for any other future epidemics," said the experts, many of whom have been part of the government's Covid action group.

They said global evidence suggests that natural infection provides better and more lasting protection than any of the current vaccines. "There is some evidence that suggests that natural infection may even provide lifelong immunity. There is no evidence to the contrary, that is, vaccination alone provides better immunity than natural infection," the statement said.

According to the experts, vaccinations following natural infections may have potential for some harm, though it is rare. "It would be prudent to err on the side of safety and not insist on vaccination for those who have acquired immunity following natural infection," they said.

The task force also recommended that proof of having recovered from natural infection be considered an adequate alternative to a vaccination certificate, and the latter not be insisted upon. "This will help in reducing needless burden on the already-stretched health system, as well as unnecessary harassment of the common man," it said.

Current surge
Earlier, in response to a surge in cases in several countries - including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand - the Union health ministry issued an advisory for Covid-appropriate behaviour. It had also reintroduced random testing of inbound international passengers and made negative RT-PCR reports mandatory for travellers, among other measures.