Although the third wave is quickly waning and there are hopes that the two-year-old Covid pandemic will make way for an "endemic" stage, experts said Indians will need to take Covid-19 booster shots. India started its booster or precautionary dose drive on January 10, but only for senior citizens and healthcare workers. "We will have to slowly expand this group to include younger people as well," said Dr Rahul Pandit who is a member of the Maharashtra government's task force on Covid-19.
Dr Shashank Joshi, also a member of the task force, concurred by saying, "A precautionary dose, either once or twice a year, will need to be taken." He said India needs a Covid vaccination strategy. "It is still in the discussion stage, but a vaccination strategy is needed," he added.
