NEW DELHI, April 7 (IANS) The center on Friday told states and union territories that the World Health Organization is currently closely following one type of concern (VOI), XBB.1.5 and six other variants under watch BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF and XBB.1.16.
During a review meeting on the Covid-19 situation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandavia virtually interacted with health ministers of states and union territories advising them to ramp up vaccination of all eligible population, especially the elderly and vulnerable population groups.
It is highlighted that while Omicron and its subspecies remain the dominant variant, most variants recruited have little or no transmissibility, disease severity, or immune escape.
The prevalence of XBB 1.1.16 increased from 21.6 percent in February to 35.8 percent in March 2023. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalizations or deaths has been reported.
It was also reported that while India has achieved more than 90 per cent primary vaccination coverage, precautionary dose coverage is very low.
– Jans
Miz / Seven /
