Third Covid vaccine dose won't be mix-and-match: Centre

On the mixing approach of Covid vaccines for precautionary doses, V K Paul said that it will be discussed further as more research on the subject is under way

The Centre would follow the “same-vaccine” approach when it starts to administer a precautionary third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to the healthcare workers, frontline workers and senior citizens from next week.

“The precautionary Covid-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as has been given previously. Those who've received Covaxin will receive Covaxin; those who've received primary two doses of Covishield will receive Covishield,” V K Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog said on Wednesday.

Nearly six crore Indians, including 2.75 crore senior citizens with comorbidities, will receive the third shot from January 10.

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Paul said a decision on mix-and-match of different Covid vaccines – the heterologous route – would be taken when more data would be available. Researchers at the Christian Medical College Vellore have undertaken one such study with Covishield and Covaxin. Other vaccines that can function as a booster are yet to be available commercially in India.

Nearly 91 per cent of India's 94.47 crore adults received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 66 per cent were fully vaccinated. Out of an estimated 7.4 crore adolescents between 15-17 years, more than a crore received their first shot in the last two days.

According to the Union Health Ministry guidelines, those who have completed 39 weeks or 9 months from the date of their second Covid-19 shot, are eligible for the precautionary shot.

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