Booster shot ideal after 6 month of Covaxin 2nd dose

New-Delhi: A booster shot would be ideal after six months of receiving the second dose of anti-Covid vaccine, said Bharat Biotech CMD Krishna Ella.

Ella at the Times Now Summit 2021, said the government and some experts are of the view that a booster dose in not urgent and ensuring full vaccination with two doses remains a priority.

Ella blamed the negative campaign against the vaccine in India. He pointed that politics is a possible factor behind the negative campaign and recalled how soon after PM Modi took the Covaxin shot to express the confidence in Indian science, innovation and atma nirbhar capabilities, it was labelled as BJP vaccine or Modi vaccine.

Ella indicated that the nasal Covid vaccine being developed by the Bharat Biotech could be taken in lieu of the second dose of Covaxin. The nasal vaccine was more effective in preventing transmission of the virus as compared to an injectible vaccine that does not reach the upper lungs and could eliminate the need for a vaccinated individual to continue wearing a mask.

He also indicated that Phase 2 trials of the nasal vaccine are over and the data is being analysed. We also informed that the Bharat biotech is also in talks with the government about using the COWIN platform for doing the clinical trails.