"Looking at the current evidence (of variants of the virus), it is not that big that there is any need for the fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. There are many reasons for that. Currently, whatever vaccines are there, the virus makes the escape mutants over them which causes infections," Dr. Gangakhedkar said on the sidelines of a function.

He said if a person has taken a third dose of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine that means his T-cell immune response has been trained thrice.?

"The core virus (of COVID) has not been changed so much that a new vaccine would be needed so try and have trust in our T-cell immune response," he added.

According to him, old people and those suffering from chronic morbidities should continue to take precautions such as wearing of masks.?

"For the fourth dose, I think, there is still time to think, because if any new variant comes, it would not be from the SARS-COV2 family. It could be a completely new variant and when it comes, we will think about it as our genomic surveillance is still going on. No need to get worried now," he said.?
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Dr Gangakhedkar has appealed to follow two things including taking a precautionary dose and taking all the precautions for those who are in a vulnerable group.?
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He was speaking on the sidelines of a discussion on the book 'Braving a Viral Storm: India's COVID-19 Vaccine Story, organised by the Pune International Center.