This is for the first time that a booster dose that is different from the one used for primary vaccination against Covid has been allowed in the country.
Last week, the health ministry urged Indian states to boost surveillance measures for the disease, citing a resurgence in some parts of Asia and Europe. Countries such as China and Italy have seen a recent rise in cases.
Starting today, precautionary third doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to health and frontline workers and senior citizens with comorbidities amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country. India had reported 1,59,632 fresh Covid-19 cases and 327 deaths on Sunday. The Omicron-driven Covid surge has resulted in many doctors and healthcare workers contracting the disease. At the same time, several states including Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Maharashtra and Bengal have imposed night and weekend curfew to mitigate infection spread. Follow this blog for LIVE updates on the Covid-19 situation: