India started its first COVID-19 vaccine booster shot drive on Monday, a move announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi late last month. As COVID-19 infections spike across the country, majorly due to the omicron variant, the dose will be given to at-risk individuals.

These include immuno-compromised people of age and the frontline healthcare workers.

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Here is all you need to know about the new vaccine rollout in India:

-The current policy for the booster shots only put about 5.75 crore people in the eligibility criteria. Out of these, about 2 crore are frontline workers, 1 crore are health care personnel and the remaining 2.75 crore individuals are above the age of 60.

-According to reports from NDTV, those who are above the age of 60 and have other underlying health issues will be able to get the “precautionary” booster dose after advising their doctor. These underlying issues include hypertension, diabetes among others.

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-Authorities have not permitted mix and match of COVID-19 vaccines for now. This means there will be consistency maintained in the brand of the vaccine.

-The COVID-19 vaccine’s booster shot will only be given to an individual 9 months after their last shot, according to reports from NDTV.

-While the Indian government has not yet laid out a comprehensive plan for expanding the booster dose drive, the health ministry said that people do not need to register for the precautionary doses. A walk-in and appointment system is being followed.

A third top-up booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine provides high levels of protection against severe disease from the omicron variant among older adults, a latest UK study concluded last week on Saturday. Multiple countries across the globe had started the booster drive before the omicron variant had tightened its grip.