The State COVID-19 Task Force has seconded the Indian Medical Association’s (Maharashtra) demand for booster doses for healthcare and frontline workers at the earliest. The nod for the same is to be given by the Central government. The IMA has demanded booster shots for these workers on priority, as they were vaccinated almost a year ago. 

DR Shashank Joshi, member of the Task Force, said there are two scientific measures for the booster dose - people working in a high viral load environment like healthcare and frontline workers, and people with moderate to severe immuno-compromised health. “Such people will need additional doses at an appropriate juncture. The present government policy is to ensure non-vaccinated people get vaccinated. We should now start a booster dose programme for healthcare and frontline workers who got vaccinated in January this year,” he said.