India lags far behind its developing-country rivals in the race for a Covid-19 booster vaccination, even as the past fortnight has seen a steady rise in cases. The poor performance comes even as the country launched its ‘precautionary’ dose vaccination campaign at the same time as some other countries, a Mint analysis showed.
For every 1,000 people, India has managed to administer just 32 boosters, i.e. only 3% of the population. A look at similar figures for comparable emerging markets (EMs) shows the extent of the interval: China (547 doses), Brazil (500 doses), Mexico (408 doses), Indonesia (175 doses) and the Philippines (132 doses) India are far ahead. Even neighboring Pakistan and Bangladesh fared better at a time when the World Health Organization warned that the pandemic was ‘not over yet’ with a fresh spike in new Covid cases seen in 110 countries Is’.
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India’s high population is not the only reason for low per capita coverage. In absolute numbers, India has given fewer booster doses (4.5 million) than China, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia, while Bangladesh and Pakistan have already counted more than half.
“These numbers are nothing to be proud of,” said T. Jacob John, former professor of clinical virology at Christian Medical College, Vellore.
An important point to note here is that most of the countries that were part of the analysis started their booster campaigns between October and December 2021. However, India administered its first booster shot on January 10 this year and had extended eligibility to all, till April 10. Adults, who got their second Covid-19 shot at least nine months ago.
Recently, the center expressed concern over the low use of booster doses. “People should understand that precautionary dosage is necessary for creation of additional cover of protection, especially in people with comorbidities. In the context of recent increase in symptomatic cases of COVID, this becomes very important,” National Dr NK Arora, Chairman of the Technical Advisory Group, told Mint in an interview last month.
Official data shows that the use of booster shots is particularly low (7.3 per 1,000 doses) among people aged 18–59. As of July 3, Delhi, Bihar and Haryana led the trend in this age group with 64, 29 and 26 doses per 1,000, respectively.
Official scientific research has highlighted the importance of getting boosters consistently. India has seen a sharp rise in the number of active cases in the last fortnight. On June 29, India reported over 18,000 cases, the highest since February this year. Active coronavirus cases stood at 111,711 as of July 3, which is the third straight day of active numbers exceeding 100,000 in the country.
Where did India falter in its booster rollout policy? Top vaccine experts Mint said vaccine shortages are no longer a concern, pointing to a combination of poor official communication driving low coverage home, a lack of a booster, unclear policy and a proper system to vaccinate adults. the gain. and follow-up for adverse reactions. He said that inertia among the general public due to low health education has also contributed to the low numbers.
Shahid Jameel, one of India’s top virologists, said in an interview, “A major issue with the government’s communication is its inability to refute the notion that vaccines are ‘useless’ because one can still become infected after vaccination.” Infection is variable for different vaccines and subsides over time, with all vaccines working well to protect against severe disease,” he explained.
Unlike the universal immunization program for children, there is no established mechanism for adult immunization. Jacob John said this is leading to information asymmetry, fueling rumors and promoting hesitation about adverse events. “Imagine someone giving ice cream for free but without the guarantee that it is safe and not contaminated. Will you take it?”