Booster Shot: Covishield Vaccine Boosts Antibodies After Third Shot, Says AstraZeneca
Countries around the world are now offering their vaccinated citizens booster shots against Covid-19 given the surge caused by the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
AstraZeneca vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and as Vaxzevria in the western world, can provide solid protection against Omicron with a booster shot, the company announced on Thursday citing pilot data from a booster trial.
Those given a third dose of AstraZeneca (Covishield) showed better protection against all variants of Covid-19 - Beta, Delta, Alpha, Gamma, and Omicron.?All those who received the booster shot were either vaccinated with two doses of Covishield or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
The vaccine-maker is now planning to submit the data to health regulators around the globe as the need for booster shots heightens.
Robust antibodies after third dose
Developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine's third dose could help improve antibody response in countries where Omicron is causing record cases.
In December, a similar trial found that AstraZeneca's shot improved antibody production when given as a booster shot after a two-shot regimen was complete - be it with its own shot or with Pfizer's.
Also read:?Corbevax: How Not-For-Profit Covid-19 Vaccine Wants To End Global Inequality
Even then, Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA vaccines) offer the best boost to antibodies. Unfortunately, neither of these have been approved for use in India and are not available here.
India is currently offering "precautionary dose" aka a booster shot to those with health conditions with age above 60. Those eligible can get the third dose nine months after the second shot.
In addition, all healthcare and frontline workers are also receiving a booster shot to protect them against Covid-19.
Also read:?Booster Doses Not Enough, We May Need 'Updated' COVID Vaccines To Fight Omicron, Other Variants
What do you think - should booster shots be available for everyone in India? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
References
Aripaka, P., & Burger, L. (2022, January 13). AstraZeneca says early trial data indicates third dose helps against Omicron. Reuters.?
