Centre to review new studies if vax needed post recovery
New Delhi, June 11
Amid a raging debate on whether the Covid infected should get vaccinated, the government on Friday said India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) could review its decision if new evidence emerges. Experts from the Indian Public Health Association, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine and Indian Association of Epidemiologists have mentioned in a report to PM Narendra Modi that there is no need to vaccinate those with documented Covid-19 infection. NITI Aayog Member VK Paul today noted, “Respected institutions have submitted their views and we will consider these and also engage the experts one on one. Whether the Covid infected should or should not take a vaccine would be decided through the institutional mechanism which is in place for the purpose. The NTAGI meets regularly to study emerging evidence and to decide on policy.”
Fauci warns against stretching vax interval
Anthony Fauci, Medical Advisor to US President, says doses should be kept at a reasonable schedule as extending intervals could expose people to one of the variants, as seen in the UK. The UK had extended the interval between AstraZeneca shots and then revised it back to 8 weeks.
Paul said the current recommendation from NTAGI is that the Covid infected should take the shots three months after recovery (the WHO recommends shots six months post recovery).
“If more data emerges, the policy can be nuanced. It is dynamic. There is no hardcore ideological position in science. Suggestions will be appropriately discussed. NTAGI consists of experts who are globally commended,” said Paul, advocating the same thought when asked if the gap between two Covishield doses – recently placed at 12 to 16 weeks – should be revised to eight weeks, as the UK has done. The experts in their report to the PM have said, “Those infected with Covid may be vaccinated after there’s evidence that the vaccine is beneficial after natural infection.” They have also argued against the current mass indiscriminate vaccination.
“Vaccinating the vulnerable and those at risk, instead of mass population-wide inoculation, should be the aim at present,” the report said. — TNS
