Tests show a third, booster dose offers significant protection against Omicron
The hope is that as we speak, the Indian COVID task force is monitoring epidemiological research into the efficacy of Covishield and Covaxin against the new mutant, Omicron. The real-world situation — India has proven Omicron cases — is readily available for experiments to be conducted on blood samples. The basis for the research is a South African report that antibodies in fully vaccinated people are not enough to prevent Omicron infection. Foreign scientists say that is no cause for panic. Their confidence stems from Pfizer and BioNTech tests that show that a third, booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine offers significant protection against Omicron. These companies say people with three doses showed significantly higher antibodies to fight Omicron than those with two doses. It can be argued that these tests may be limited in scope because they examined only 39 samples to get faster results. They have not released any of their test data either. However, the indications are on the right track that a third dose is needed to tackle Omicron. That brings us to the question: Where is India on the third dose? The country’s vaccination programme has picked up speed after the festive season and nearly 60 crore doses still need to be administered to vaccinate the entire adult population. At least one-third of the fully vaccinated population may be ready for a third dose, given that they may have got their second dose over six months ago. As every day passes, the number of claimants for the third dose increases.
This means the Government is already on notice to not only start reserving the required number of third doses but also take a decision on agreeing to a booster dose. That is not all. South Africa is reporting the growing prevalence of the virus — not necessarily Omicron — among children. Adolescents, admitted to hospitals for other reasons, are testing positive for COVID-19. That suggests an increased community transmission. In India, Gujarat has reported a couple of adolescents testing positive for Omicron. They could be isolated cases, but the truth is that a sizeable section of Indian children may have been exposed to the virus in the first two phases of the pandemic and Omicron is no exception. There is also no idea when the Government allows vaccination for them. The other section of Indians beginning to demand a booster dose is the frontline health workers who are geared up for a fresh wave. It is over 10 months since they were fully vaccinated and their current immunity levels may not be able to protect them from post-Delta mutants. They have to handle Omicron cases in five States and rightly feel threatened. The COVID task force should also focus on encouraging Indian vaccine companies to explore the viability of a vaccine that can tackle Omicron and future mutants. Pfizer and Moderna are currently in a race for such a vaccine that they claim can be produced in 95 days.