Scared of omicron, Indians get COVID vaccine booster shots illegally

India’s increasing COVID infections with the omicron variant’s presence have spooked the country’s people enough that many are taking panic-stricken trips to corporate hospitals to get booster shots illegally administered. However, there are serious side effects to this. Health experts have specifically warned against taking booster shots until a national policy is released. 

Dr Sanjay Rai, a professor with the department of community medicine at the All India Insitute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) spoke to TOI, saying “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”.

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Other doctors have shared experiences of being flooded with requests for booster doses and have revealed that some people have opted for a cocktail of COVID vaccines, like two Covishield and two Covaxin shots. 

One Hyderabadi man added a shot of Sputnik after two doses of Covishield and Covaxin, according to some doctors. They have also conveyed that politicians, businessmen, policemen, and healthcare personnel are at the top of the list opting for illegal boosters. 

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Another senior medical professional from Hyderabad stated that demands for vaccines had reached alarming levels, before underlining the fact that COVID vaccines were made available to the public in a very short span of time, preventing the medical community from having the chance to examine its possible long-term side effects. Thus, it would be the smart move to take a booster, only if it proves beneficial. 

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Health organizations across the world have echoed this view since experts believe the omicron variant might evade the immunity that comes from the previous infection or receiving the vaccination. Hence, it is prudent to hold off till an omicron-specific booster becomes available. Until then, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing protocols, and remaining vigilant about personal hygiene, are the only protection we have against the variant.