New Delhi: According to the preliminary scientific evidence available in India regarding the mixing of different vaccines of Covid-19, when Covishield is given as a booster (third dose) dose to those people In those who have previously taken 2 doses of Covaxin, the antibody level in them increases by six times. However, if Covaxin is applied as a booster dose to those taking 2 doses of Covishield, the antibody levels do not increase as much.
The Christian Medical College of Vellore on Wednesday submitted the preliminary results of the vaccine mixing to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) of India. This is the first scientific evidence in India about the results obtained by mixing two different vaccines for a booster dose. Currently, people over 60 years of age in India are being given a “precautionary” third dose of the same vaccine they had received in both the first doses.
Another important piece of data will come out in a few days
Sources said important data related to neutralizing antibody and T-cell response after the combination of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines will be presented to the Drugs Controller General of India in a week. Based on the final data, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) is expected to take a decision on whether to introduce a different vaccine as a third or booster dose.
Currently, Bharat Biologicals-E is also studying the effect of a mixture of Corbevax, Bharat Biotech’s Intranasal Vaccine, and Serum Institute of India’s Covavax. The data coming out of these studies will be important, as scientists look to expand the precautionary dose to people under 60 years of age.
Vaccination started for 12-14 years age group in India
Meanwhile, vaccination for the age group of 12-14 years in India started on Wednesday. As per the final figures, 3,23,708 doses of Corbevax were administered to the beneficiaries of this age group on the first day. The total vaccination figure of the country has touched 180.68 crores. After witnessing a spurt in cases of COVID-19 infection in several countries including China, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with the members of the COVID-19 Task Force and asked them to keep a close watch on the situation. instructed.
Union Minister directs aggressive genome sequencing
Sources said that the officials of the Covid-19 Task Force were directed by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to conduct aggressive genome sequencing of samples to detect possible new variants of the coronavirus. Additionally, Mandaviya asked officials at the local level to intensify surveillance for the early identification of hotspots. The meeting was attended by Dr. VK Paul, Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Dr. Balram Bhargava, ICMR Chief, K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.
