AN AGGRESSIVE vaccination strategy in the second phase will help reduce transmission of infection, decrease mortality and also reduce the chances of mutation of the virus, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said.
While the government is yet to make an official announcement on those who will be included in the over-45 age group with comorbidities, Guleria said those who are at higher risk of dying due to their underlying condition will be given priority.
“There are specific categories based on those who are at higher risk of dying because of Covid-19. People with heart disease, diabetes, those who have underlying cancer, people with disability which predisposes to severe pneumonia, or those who are on immunosuppressant steroids, and post-transplantation patients will come under this category.
Guleria said the next phase of vaccination is crucial, especially in the backdrop of a surge in cases being reported in several states. “It is important considering the recent increase in the cases. The important issue is that we need to understand that Covid-19 has not gone away. We are witnessing many super-spreading events. Covid-19 appropriate behavior and vaccination, as a two-pronged strategy, needs to be pushed very aggressively. There is data from Israel and the UK emerging that because of aggressive vaccination, cases have started coming down,” he said