Will a third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine provide a turbocharge or just two doses of vaccination are enough? The topic of administering booster doses has gained momentum lately. However, the World Health Organisation's expert group advises a booster dose of COVID vaccinations for individuals with weakened immunity. 

Approved vaccines 

WHO emergency use listing (EUL) vaccines have been approved for use in 'moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals' according to the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunisation (SAGE).

The SAGE, on the other hand, emphasised that a booster dosage is not recommended for the general public. Vaccination using Sinovac or Sinopharm, two Chinese vaccines, must be eligible for a third booster dosage, according to the WHO's expert panel. SAGE also emphasised that nations should take its advice for a booster dosage for individuals with comorbidities into account based on vaccination availability and access concerns, as stated before.

It was recommended that nations start with the oldest age groups when adopting this suggestion, and work their way up to maximise 2-dose coverage. Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is likely to be listed for emergency use by SAGE later this month.

An expert panel in Geneva heard from representatives of the Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer last month. According to WHO statements, a final decision on the approval of India's first indigenous COVID vaccine, Covaxin, may be made by mid-October.

Do COVID-19 vaccination boosters need to be given to Indians?

Here are answers from professionals:

After US Vice President received the booster dosage, or third dose, of the Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine, the debate about booster doses of COVID-19 vaccinations gathered steam. There has been a long-running discussion over whether or not boosters are necessary throughout the globe.

As the COVID vaccination campaign has progressed since its start in early January, India's public opinion is split on the issue. There has been a lot of pushback from the Indian government about COVID booster injections and the benefits they offer. For the time being, the centre recommends ensuring that every adult in the nation receives two doses of the vaccine.

Children who have not been immunised should get the first dose rather than the rest getting the third. A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination should only be given if absolutely necessary.

According to some experts:

"SARS-CoV-2 has already infected the overwhelming majority of Indians. Infected and vaccinated individuals are protected by a powerful hybrid immunity. There is no evidence to indicate that such people require a third dosage of vaccination."

It's clear that vaccination is best utilised as a first dose rather than a third dosage, despite new evidence suggesting that it may improve protection against infection and mild illness in certain populations. India's first goal should be getting as many people immunised as possible.

Boosters for non-infected?

The choice to give a third dosage to those who have never been infected before is based on the patient's future risk of developing severe COVID-19.

Consideration should be given to booster dosages for certain segments of the population. Immunocompromised persons such as cancer patients or those in high-risk occupations such as health professionals, people who are clinically susceptible or significantly exposed to the danger of infection. Booster dosages should be considered for these individuals.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

The author is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.