AgenciesAmid emergence of a new Omicron sub-lineage, experts call for updating the booster policy in India. They say that the current policy is not making the best use of evidence and available vaccine choices.
India has been using the same vaccine as a precaution dose since January even as it approved Corbevax as a booster.
"Much evidence shows heterologous boosting to be more effective than homologous boosting," said virologist Shahid Jameel of the University of Oxford.
Jameel cited the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore data that shows Covishield after Covaxin is far superior but India continues to use 3rd dose Covaxin in people who got 2 doses.
Experts who had earlier reviewed the CMC data had in-principle decided against the mix and match regimen.
The data was deliberated by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
However, according to people privy of the data, a sharp increase in the antibody levels of 58 times has been seen when a third dose of Covishield is given after two doses of Covaxin.
However, the immunity increases by 5-6 times when the booster dose is of the same vaccine as the first two doses.
Giridhara Babu, senior epidemiologist said it is time to revise and ensure that every eligible person gets a booster shot if not got already. "Similar to UK policy, all the persons aged 18 years and over can be offered a booster dose of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine."
Even as one heterologous schedule is better than the homologous regimen, experts decided that the programme was going well and hence no interference should be made.
Jameel said that even global data also shows protein vaccines to be better better after two doses of (AZ) vaccine than a 3rd dose. India continues with 3 doses of Covishield.
The BA.2.75, the new Covid-19 sub-lineage has been detected in India and may fuel infections, experts had said on Monday. They said it has unique mutations, which increase chances of infection in people so far protected, and that broader genomic surveillance is needed to better understand its epidemiology.
India has been using the same vaccine as a precaution dose since January even as it approved Corbevax as a booster.
"Much evidence shows heterologous boosting to be more effective than homologous boosting," said virologist Shahid Jameel of the University of Oxford.
Jameel cited the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore data that shows Covishield after Covaxin is far superior but India continues to use 3rd dose Covaxin in people who got 2 doses.
Experts who had earlier reviewed the CMC data had in-principle decided against the mix and match regimen.
The data was deliberated by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
However, according to people privy of the data, a sharp increase in the antibody levels of 58 times has been seen when a third dose of Covishield is given after two doses of Covaxin.
However, the immunity increases by 5-6 times when the booster dose is of the same vaccine as the first two doses.
Giridhara Babu, senior epidemiologist said it is time to revise and ensure that every eligible person gets a booster shot if not got already. "Similar to UK policy, all the persons aged 18 years and over can be offered a booster dose of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine."
Even as one heterologous schedule is better than the homologous regimen, experts decided that the programme was going well and hence no interference should be made.
Jameel said that even global data also shows protein vaccines to be better better after two doses of (AZ) vaccine than a 3rd dose. India continues with 3 doses of Covishield.
The BA.2.75, the new Covid-19 sub-lineage has been detected in India and may fuel infections, experts had said on Monday. They said it has unique mutations, which increase chances of infection in people so far protected, and that broader genomic surveillance is needed to better understand its epidemiology.
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