No scientific evidence to back need for Covid booster doses: ICMR

There is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against Covid-19, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said on Monday. 

He added that administering the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine to all adult population and ensuring that not only India but the entire world gets vaccinated is the priority of the government for now. 

Recently, Health Minister Mansukh Mandviya had said decision on booster dose would be taken based on ICMR and other expert recommendation once entire adult population of India is vaccinated. 

Also watch: Coronavirus: How do Covid-19 boosters work and are they same as the original vaccines?

According to officials, around 82% of the eligible population in India have received the first dose of the vaccine while around 43% have been fully inoculated.