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| India Covid: Booster shots start for priority groups as cases surge | India Covid: Booster shots start for priority groups as cases surge |
| (6 months later) | |
| A health worker inoculates a man with a third dose in Delhi on Monday | A health worker inoculates a man with a third dose in Delhi on Monday |
| India has begun giving booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to priority groups amid a surge in infections. | India has begun giving booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to priority groups amid a surge in infections. |
| Health and frontline workers and people above 60 years old with comorbidities are currently eligible to take the jab. | Health and frontline workers and people above 60 years old with comorbidities are currently eligible to take the jab. |
| The drive began as India battles a spike in Covid cases fuelled by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. | The drive began as India battles a spike in Covid cases fuelled by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. |
| Early studies from other countries have suggested that a booster vaccine may provide more protection against Omicron. | Early studies from other countries have suggested that a booster vaccine may provide more protection against Omicron. |
| India records first death with Omicron variant | India records first death with Omicron variant |
| The highly transmissive Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa in November. | The highly transmissive Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa in November. |
| Since then, several countries have expanded their booster programmes or shortened the gap between jabs to shore up protection against the variant. | Since then, several countries have expanded their booster programmes or shortened the gap between jabs to shore up protection against the variant. |
| In India, the booster shot - dubbed a "precaution dose" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - will be the same vaccine that was given to a person for their first and second doses. | In India, the booster shot - dubbed a "precaution dose" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - will be the same vaccine that was given to a person for their first and second doses. |
| India has been mainly administering two locally-manufactured vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, since its vaccination drive began in January 2021. | India has been mainly administering two locally-manufactured vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, since its vaccination drive began in January 2021. |
| On Sunday, India reported more than 179,000 new infections for the past 24 hours, driven by a steep rise in cases in big cities such as the national capital Delhi and financial centre Mumbai. | On Sunday, India reported more than 179,000 new infections for the past 24 hours, driven by a steep rise in cases in big cities such as the national capital Delhi and financial centre Mumbai. |
| On the same day, Mr Modi chaired a review meeting with top officials, and asked for "technical support" to be provided to states reporting more cases. | On the same day, Mr Modi chaired a review meeting with top officials, and asked for "technical support" to be provided to states reporting more cases. |
| The government had begun administering vaccines to 15-18-year-olds last week - it has said that 31% of Indians in this age group have been given the first dose so far. | The government had begun administering vaccines to 15-18-year-olds last week - it has said that 31% of Indians in this age group have been given the first dose so far. |
| Is India ready for a third wave of Covid-19? | Is India ready for a third wave of Covid-19? |
| More than 91% adults have been partially vaccinated so far, while 66% have received both doses. | More than 91% adults have been partially vaccinated so far, while 66% have received both doses. |
| But experts say that still leaves millions of unvaccinated people - many with underlying health problems that could increase the severity of the infection - at risk. | But experts say that still leaves millions of unvaccinated people - many with underlying health problems that could increase the severity of the infection - at risk. |
| The spread of Omicron has also increased worries - India has confirmed a total of 4,003 cases of Omicron, with Maharashtra state reporting the highest (1,126), followed by Rajasthan (529) and Delhi (513). | The spread of Omicron has also increased worries - India has confirmed a total of 4,003 cases of Omicron, with Maharashtra state reporting the highest (1,126), followed by Rajasthan (529) and Delhi (513). |
| The country has so far recorded more than 35 million Covid cases and about 483,000 deaths from the virus. | The country has so far recorded more than 35 million Covid cases and about 483,000 deaths from the virus. |
| Last year, a devastating second wave overwhelmed the country's health system, leading to a shortage in oxygen, hospital beds and critical drugs. | Last year, a devastating second wave overwhelmed the country's health system, leading to a shortage in oxygen, hospital beds and critical drugs. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
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| Life in India's capital has changed beyond recognition under a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections | Life in India's capital has changed beyond recognition under a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections |
| Life in India's capital has changed beyond recognition under a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections |