COVID-19 BOOSTER DOSE FOR OMICRON PROTECTION

The World Health Organization identified Omicron as a “variant of concern” and revealed significant data gaps and flaws in worldwide COVID-19 outcomes and control operations. Yet, nothing is known to the scientific community about Omicron's infectivity, vaccination breakthrough capacities, antibody resistance, or the efficiency of booster doses.

Vaccines develop antibodies to combat a virus and also produce memory cells. According to the findings of clinical experiments, these cells aid in recognizing the virus (thanks to memory) when it attempts to re-enter a body.

After some time, the antibody naturally diminishes and eventually ceases. Still, when an immunized or naturally-healed individual comes into exposure to the virus, memory cells assist in producing antibodies to grant immunity against the particular antigen.

Researchers are investigating if the Omicron variation influences the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccinations. Although data is currently scarce, there may be a minor decrease in the vaccine’s efficacy to avoid severe sickness and death. Nevertheless, WHO claims, that the presently available booster shot for omicron protection may safeguard against severe COVID-19 cases and death.

What is a booster dose? How does booster dose work against COVID-19 Omicron Variant?

As per health experts in India, a booster dosage can strengthen the body's immunity and provide better Omicron protection. Indeed, according to the UK's Health Security Agency, a third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination may give 70-75 percent higher protection against the Omicron variant.

Also, persons with a weakened immune system may require a booster injection since they are at a greater risk of severe illness. And besides, a booster dose is known to boost the immune system's ability to fight infection and reduce the likelihood of severe symptoms. As a result, you can successfully combat the Omicron variant.

The ambiguity of COVID vaccine for omicron protection

In India, Omicron COVID-19 has sparked a discussion about booster COVID-19 vaccine injections. However, other experts think several issues should be dealt with before the COVID-19 booster dose is permissible in India.

Although countries like the USA have implemented the booster dose strategy, no clinical investigation has been proven globally to test its efficacy and safety.

Some immunologists feel that while more significant antibodies produced by a vaccine booster dose might occasionally function against the antigen, they can also damage the body.

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a condition in which an antibody, rather than blocking infection, assists the antigen in infecting a more significant number of cells. This is why clinical studies are critical in arriving at a more definitive conclusion. Despite many Omicron cases in India, many medical experts believe that transmission is sluggish. They attribute India’s sporadic Omicron outbreaks to much of India's population with natural antibodies that can block viral transmission and spread. 

Also, a large chunk of Indians is immunized as well. As a result, in India, two doses of vaccination combined with natural antibodies probably give significantly higher protection than three doses in other nations. Another factor behind the risk of reinfection has been so low in all of the SARS-CoV-2 variants studied, this suggests that natural immunity developed after healing from COVID-19 produces superior antibodies than vaccines. The rate of reinfection has ranged from 5% to 10%.

Why is a booster dose of vaccine required? 

A regular series of immunizations is known to boost waning immunity over time. Several researchers in India and abroad have found a decrease in vaccinated people's antibodies at various periods between the previous dosages. Not just antibodies but also memory T-cells suffer from loss.

Therefore, a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is to maintain people's immune levels for a longer period As per the WHO, homogeneous vaccination regimens are standard practice based on extensive safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness evidence. However, a heterologous booster vaccination technique, according to the ECDC, might be explored as an alternate strategy to increase vaccine protection and give flexibility in vaccine supply and aid during availability difficulties.

Which COVID-19 vaccines are used as boosters in India?

Covishield and Covaxin are the two effective vaccines used in India's immunization program under a two-dose regimen. In addition, the "precautionary" or "booster" dosage is also for eligible individuals. Those over 60 and ill and frontline workers are qualified for a booster dosage.

The Center has not approved the mixing of vaccinations for people qualified for the booster yet. So, for instance, if someone has gotten two doses of Covishield, they will be given the identical vaccination for the third injection and vice versa for Covaxin. The Centre has stated that it would consider a heterologous strategy (to use a new vaccination for the third shot) once it obtains additional evidence.

Booster shot meaning: What is the eligibility for a booster shot? 

In India, the following groups have Booster Shot Eligibility nine months following their second COVID injection:

• Health-care providers
• Workers on the front lines
• People over the age of 60 with illness

The CoWIN portal allows the above groups to register for the preventative dose for COVID-19 booster dose in India.

The government is waiting for information on the advantages of the NIV or National Institute of Virology before granting the booster dosage the go-light. Similarly, in India, the National Expert Group—Vaccine Administration—COVID-19 or NEGVAC and the National Technical Advisory Group—Immunization or NTAGI are researching and gathering information on the advantages of receiving the vaccine's third dose.

Pfizer's mRNA vaccine like Moderna, according to experts, is the best option for a booster shot against the COVID-19 virus but they are not accessible in India. So, Covaxin or protein subunit vaccinations like Covovax or Corbevax, can be given to those who receive Covaxin shots and Covaxin can be given to those who received Covishield shots as a booster dose.

How can you get a COVID-19 booster shot?

Vaccination is the only effective strategy to combat the novel coronavirus. While further research and testing are needed, experts feel that even a booster is a viable strategy to raise omicron immunity in India. Given our experiences with other variations, we can conclude that only time and monitoring will provide additional information on the disease's transmissibility, vaccination effectiveness, and severity.

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