Five cases of Covid’s XBB.1.5 variant, responsible for the rise in cases in the US, have been found in India, according to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). Last year, India had reported four cases of Covid’s BF.7 variant, a highly transmissible virus that has led to the surge in cases in China.
Of the five XBB.1.5 cases, three were found in Gujarat and one each in Karnataka and Rajasthan, according to INSACOG figures on Tuesday. The XBB.1.5 strain is a relative of the Omicron XBB variant, which is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 subvariants. Combined, XBB and XBB.1.5 make up 44 per cent of cases in the US.
Covid-19 variant Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the dominant variant in India with 'XBB' being the most prevalent sub-lineage circulating all over the country. Meanwhile, the Government, it seems, does not approve the idea of the Indian Medical Association which had recently sought the nod for the fourth Covid dose or second booster vaccine for the medical fraternity in view of rising cases in some countries. The Ministry, said the sources, feels that most people in the country are yet to receive their third dose.
India began administering a precautionary or booster dose in January 2022 and till now only 28 per cent of the eligible population have taken it.
“A fourth Covid shot is unwarranted at the moment as most people in the country are yet to receive their third dose,” sources in the Union Health Ministry told a news agency.
Also, there is no data available on the utility of a second booster for the currently used vaccines, they said. "The need for a second booster dose of Covid vaccines is not on the agenda of the Government as of now nor are discussions over it underway. Most importantly, the majority of the population are yet to receive a third dose and those who are due for it should take it," an official source said.