With Fears Of Omicron Getting Real, People Taking Illegal 'Booster Shots'

Omicron infections are rising across India and panic-stricken people are taking booster shots illegally at corporate hospitals of which some are resulting in serious side effects, as per TNN.

This comes despite experts warning against doing this.

Doctors say some have even mixed it up with two Covishield and two Covaxin doses.

Health experts said that many in Delhi have taken a booster after being vaccinated.

Experts warn that this can have a serious impact on one's health.

PTI

"We don't yet have evidence that a booster will help against Omicron. The rise of antibodies is not the only protection against the virus. Misinformed people are taking a booster dose, and it's happening mostly because hospitals and companies want to get rid of their stocks before it expires," said Dr Sanjay Rai who is a professor of the department of community medicine at AIIMS.

"Look at Singapore, South Korea, US and UK. Many cases of breakthrough infections are happening after vaccinations," he added.

AFP

"Covid-19 vaccines have been brought out in shortest possible time... So, we know very little about its long-term side-effects. It will be prudent to take a booster only if it has been proven beneficial," said Dr. P Raghu Ram, director, KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases.

"Despite the emergence of Omicron, hospitals are not overwhelmed with admissions," he added.

"Most importantly, there has been no significant increase in patients with severe disease or deaths. It would be reasonable to assume that the two-dose regimen has largely been effective," he went on to say.

"Properly worn masks remain the first line of defence, irrespective of variant," said Dr Anurag Agrawal who is the chair of WHO's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 and director of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology.

"At this stage, three things can save us. Wearing a proper well-fitted mask, avoiding crowded areas and complete vaccination," said Dr Saumitra Das, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics.

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