Need for booster dose of Kovid vaccine to fight against Omicron variant: NIV

NIV scientist Dr Pragya Yadav said that however, the heterogeneous vaccination regime of giving the first dose of Covishield followed by a second dose of Covaxin has given a neutral response against Delta and other forms of Concern.

The study’s findings were recently published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. The study consisted of three groups – a heterogeneous group with 18 individuals who were inadvertently given the first dose of CovaShield and the second dose of Covaxin in UP and the other two groups consisted of 40 individuals, each with a homologous CoVShield or Two doses of Covaxin were received.

The study found that people who were unintentionally given mixed doses of covid vaccine showed a very good neutralizing antibody response against Delta and other variants of Concern.

However, with respect to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, a decrease in neutralizing antibody levels was observed in all groups (Covishield + Covaxin; Covaxin + Covaxin and Covishield + CovaShield).

“The gradual shift in oomicrons from delta to delta-sub-lineage of VOCs, along with a decline in immunity six months after vaccination, has prompted discourses to design an innovative vaccination strategy. The present investigation findings such make a meaningful contribution to the discussions. Regardless of the findings of this study, longitudinal monitoring for successful infection should remain part of any surveillance system,” the study states.

India began giving a precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccines to health care and frontline workers and people aged 60 and above from January 10.

The Union Health Ministry recently removed the comorbidity clause, making everyone above the age of 60 years eligible for a precautionary dose of COVID vaccines.