The need for a second booster dose of Covid vaccine is not on the agenda of the government as of now, official sources said amid renewed concerns about the viral infections in view of surge in some countries. A fourth Covid shot is unwarranted at the moment as most people in the country are yet to receive their third dose, they said. Also, there is no data available on the utility of a second booster for the currently used vaccines, the sources said. 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.

State media in China played down the severity of a surge of COVID-19 infections ahead of an expected briefing by its scientists to the World Health Organization, which is hoping for a "detailed discussion" on the evolution of the virus. China's abrupt U-turn on COVID controls on Dec. 7, as well as the accuracy of its case and mortality data, have come under increasing scrutiny at home and abroad.

(With inputs from agencies)