Adjudicating the logistics of COVID-19 vaccine boosters from a global perspective.

The emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to the advocation of COVID-19 vaccine boosters by many countries. The reasons cited for the booster vaccination, such as waning immunity, immune escape due to viral evolution and suboptimal responses in immunocompromised individuals, need to be cautiously weighed against possible risks, including immune-mediated side effects, vaccine hesitancy, global vaccine inequity, and emergence of new variants in the naive population. The scientific, ethical, and economic adjudication indicates that the primary vaccination of unvaccinated masses should be prioritized over the premature booster implementation. Although, in the future, when the global vaccine shortage has been subdued or if the protective immunity afforded by the current COVID-19 vaccination protocols wanes substantially, the booster vaccinations may be implemented.

Heterologous prime-boost vaccination against COVID-19: is it safe and reliable?

Throughout the globe, many nations are struggling to cope with the consecutive waves of the COVID-19. Several vaccines have been employed to overcome this ongoing pandemic and are available as single and double-dose inoculations; however, homologous vaccine efficacy is being reconsidered due to the rapidly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Many studies have been conducted on the heterologous prime-boost vaccine regimens and have shown good efficacy results against COVID-19. This article aims to highlight the safety and reliability of heterologous prime-boost vaccination against COVID-19. We have also made some recommendations towards using these combinations of vaccines for the global mitigation of the subsequent waves of COVID-19.

Fake COVID-19 vaccines: scams hampering the vaccination drive in India and possibly other countries.

India is executing a mass vaccination program to restrict the predicted third wave of COVID-19. However, fake COVID-19 vaccines have emerged as a major challenge amid the vaccination drive in India. This article highlights the loopholes and measures to restrict the fake COVID-19 vaccination scams. Such activities have put the genuinity of vaccination certificates under scanner besides putting public health at risk and instigating vaccine hesitancy. Hence, the Government of India needs to take stringent actions such as complete take-over of COVID-19 vaccine procurement and free immunization. Furthermore, the public needs to remain vigilant and check vaccination certificates immediately after being vaccinated. Such efforts on the part of the government and public can completely restrict fake vaccinations.

Vaccine certificate during domestic traveling: a potential initiative to prevent COVID-19 waves in India.

India, the second-most populous country in the world, is struggling with the second wave of the COVID-19 triggered by SARS-CoV-2. This letter aims to highlight the necessity of the vaccine certificate during nationwide traveling to prevent further waves of the COVID-19 in the different states of India. Such policies have already been in existence for international travel termed as vaccine passports. The compulsory vaccine certificates need to be in existence to prevent the rapid spread of the COVID-19 as well as the future waves of this pandemic in India. There is an urgent need forStandard Operating Procedure (SOP) on preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19 nationwide by including the vaccine certificate for domestic travel between the cities and states.