Precautionary Dose to Mitigate COVID Severity, Hospitalisation, Death: ICMR DG

"It is in the domain of EC," NITI Aayog's Dr Paul, meanwhile, said on violation of COVID rules in political rallies.

Image used for representational purpose.

(File Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)

Centre's top medical research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), pointed out in a press conference on Thursday, 30 December, that all coronavirus vaccines – whether they are from India, Israel, US, Europe, UK or China – are primarily disease-modifying and do not prevent infection.

ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava stated:

"The precautionary dose is primarily to mitigate the severity of infection, hospitalisation and death."

Further, Dr Bhargava added that the use of masks both before, as well as after vaccination "is a must" and mass gatherings should be avoided.

"The treatment guidelines for the earlier and the currently circulating strains of coronavirus remain the same. Home isolation remains an important pillar," Dr Bhargava said, news agency ANI reported.

In terms of which vaccine shall be administered as the precautionary dose, Dr Bhargava, according to PTI, said that they are "analysing all the data that is available in terms of which vaccine can be given" to decide "whether it is going to be the same one or it is going to be a different one."

“Before 10 January we will have to clear cut recommendations on the same. The drug controller and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) are meeting and that decision will be taken."

The Union Health Ministry also said that government will send SMS to the eligible elderly population to remind them for taking the precautionary dose that starts from 10 January.

No Comments on Political Rallies

NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul, meanwhile, refused to comment on the issue of violation of COVID-19 rules in political rallies, saying:

"It is in the domain of the Election Commission and it is not the right forum to take up this issue."

India reported 9,195 new COVID-19 cases and 302 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 77,002, the Health Ministry had announced on Wednesday, 29 December.

Further, a total of 781 cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected across 21 states and Union territories in the country so far.

Eight states, meanwhile, are slated to go to polls in the coming months.

Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, on his part informed the press that approximately 90 percent of the adult population in India has been vaccinated against COVID-19, but this is with the first dose.

(With inputs from ANI.)