The Union government is set to relax norms for the precautionary dose of the Covid vaccine, allowing those traveling abroad to receive the injection before the stipulated nine-month waiting period as required by the destination country, sources said Wednesday.
However, the Union Health Ministry is yet to make an official announcement.
The sources said the decision to relax the rules on precautionary dose for overseas travelers was based on the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The advisory panel recommended that those who need to travel abroad can take the precautionary dose of the Covid vaccine as required by the country they are traveling to before the mandatory nine-month gap.
As of now, everyone over 18 years of age who has completed nine months after the second dose is eligible for the precautionary jab.
The Union Health Ministry has received several representations seeking the precautionary dose of the Covid vaccine for those who have to travel abroad for work, business engagements, admission to foreign educational institutes, participation in sports events, and bilateral and multilateral meetings as part of India’s official policy. delegation.
“The issue was discussed on Wednesday and NTAGI has recommended that those who need to travel abroad can get the booster shot, before the stipulated waiting period of nine months, as required by the country they are traveling to,” said a source.
India began administering precautionary doses of Covid vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those over 60 years of age with comorbidities on January 10 this year.
The comorbidity clause was removed in March, making everyone over 60 years of age eligible for the precautionary dose of the Covid vaccine.
On April 10, India began administering precautionary doses of COVID-19 vaccines to everyone over 18 years of age at private vaccination centers.
PTI
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