A booster shot though offered in several western nations, remains a hotly debated subject. The Centre said on Thursday that it was not a priority, indicating that a decision on third dose may not be imminent.
Multiple sources have confirmed to TOI that healthcare workers have taken the third shot at various hospitals, either without registration on Co-win or by using a different phone number. Many are believed to have got antibody levels screened before taking it. A senior physician told TOI, “The list includes doctors mainly who finished taking both their doses by February and found depletion in their antibody levels on checking”.
A young politician, her spouse and staff members too are learnt to have taken the booster jab.
Covishield has been the choice for the booster dose, said a hospital source, adding that in some cases an eleventh dose has been drawn from the vaccine vial for the purpose. Another hospital head said in other cases, the third dose is drawn from a vial which may have a few doses left but doesn’t have takers at the end of the day’s immunisation drive.
“Healthcare workers have seen breakthrough infections among colleagues and are worried about emerging variants,” he said.
Dr Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary (health), however, called it misguided enthusiasm, saying a third dose could lead to massive life-threatening reactions in some cases.
“Let us be scientific and not be driven by emotions,” he said. Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, said, “There is a possibility that the extra dose in each vial is being used for this. If one is using that extra dose, there is no need for any registration. But my question to those who are taking it is how do they know it’s useful at all,” he said.
