Covid-19: India rolls out booster dose for health workers, at-risk elders amid Omicron wave

Health and frontline workers and senior citizens at risk started getting a precautionary third dose of Covid-19 vaccine on Monday as Covid numbers spike in the country, driven by Omicron.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the additional dose for select groups last month.

The health ministry has said there is no need to register for the precautionary vaccine doses. Those eligible can directly take an appointment or walk into any vaccination centre.

Besides health and frontline workers, those above the age of 60 years who have co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension and other chronic ailments will be eligible for the "Precaution Dose" on the advice of their doctor.

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There is no decision yet on booster doses for all adults.

Those eligible for booster shots will, however, get the extra shot only after 9 months of their second dose. The third dose will of the same vaccines as their first and second. There will be no mix and match, the Centre has clarified.

A study from the UK has found that a third dose of vaccine can provide up to 88 per cent protection against hospitalisation from infection by the Omicron variant.