Paid Covid-19 booster shots: Experts divided on govt intervention

Centre may have to step in to ensure universal coverage, some say; also call for shift in focus to strengthen surveillance, testing and gathering data

With the roll-out of paid Covid-19 boosters off to a slow start, experts believe that in order to ensure universal coverage the government may need to step in and offer free doses of the precautionary shots at some point.

Some experts are also of the opinion that it is a time to strengthen surveillance, testing and collating epidemiological data rather than achieving marginal improvements in vaccination coverage or boosting immunity.

K Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India, feels that the government might intervene if it senses a need for universal booster shots.

“The government does not feel that everyone needs booster