In an indication that the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) may not completely go away from the country, a senior official of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Friday that the Covid-19 virus, just like influenza, will subsequently "reach its endemic stage." "The Covid-19 virus will reach its endemic stage like influenza after a while. Then, the vulnerable population may have to get vaccinated annually," Dr Panda said. As the influenza virus keeps on mutating, minor changes are made to the vaccine simultaneously," the ICMR official said. India's second Covid-19 wave emerged in late February-early March and was at its peak in April and May.

Source: Hindustan Times July 09, 2021 13:18 UTC