India

Boosters Can Wait, Vaccinate All First: AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) chief Randeep Guleria has said that “the idea of booster doses can wait” and India should at the moment focus on vaccinating as many people as possible to curb the spread of COVID-19. He was speaking in the backdrop of countries like the USA and Brazil going in for a third shot.

“I think we should focus on vaccinating those who have not been vaccinated till now, especially the high-risk group. Still many healthcare workers, many elderly and those with comorbidities have not been vaccinated, and they are the ones who have a chance of having more severe disease and dying because of Covid-19,” Guleria was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

Guleria also suggested increasing investment in research for antivirals or drugs that can be used in treatment against COVID-19. “We are still using a lot of repurposed drugs rather than any specific antiviral for Covid-19. And unfortunately, a lot of investment went into vaccine development but we didn’t really invest that much into research for antivirals or a drug which could have been effective against the virus,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

“I really think that we need to push more in research in developing good antiviral drug; along with the vaccine, we need to have good drugs which are effective, which can be given easily to patients and are useful in the long run. We don’t have such a drug as of now,” he added.

The AIIMS chief further said that Sero Survey suggested that there may not be as many coronavirus cases in a likely third Covid wave if vaccinations continue in strength. Till now the country has administered over 60 crore Covid-19 vaccines.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Bail Conditions For Teen Driver Who Killed 2: Write 300-Word Essay, Work With Traffic Police

Pune: A 17-year-old, who crashed a sports car killing a couple on a motorbike, was…

May 20, 2024

Villagers Displaced By MCL Project Boycott Polls In Odisha Protesting Delay In R&R Claims Settlement

Sundagarh: Several villagers, who were displaced due to an opencast mining project of Mahanadi Coalfields…

May 20, 2024

Parents, 2 Children Killed In Dumper-Bike Collision In Odisha’s Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: A family of four died following a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a…

May 20, 2024

Odisha Elections 2024: BJD Seeks ECI Action Against BJP Workers For Attack On Villager In Bargarh

Bhubaneswar: The BJD has sought action from chief electoral officer (CEO) against BJP workers for…

May 20, 2024

Paresh Rawal Wants Those Who Don’t Vote To Be Punished

Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities came out in huge numbers to cast their votes here on Monday,…

May 20, 2024

48.95% Voter Turnout By 3 PM In Odisha Amid Stray Incidents Of Violence During Phase II

Bhubaneswar: Odisha recorded 48.95 per cent voter turnout by 3 pm even as tension prevailed…

May 20, 2024

Heavy Rain To Lash Parliamentary Constituencies Going To Polls In Odisha On May 25

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha…

May 20, 2024

Former Odisha Officer’s Assets Worth Rs 1.07 Cr Confiscated After Conviction In Vigilance Case

Bhubaneswar: A Special Court in Bhubaneswar on Monday ordered confiscation of assets worth Rs 1.07…

May 20, 2024