New Delhi: If you are among those with first dose of the Covaxin produced by homegrown Bharat Biotech and want to know about protection from further infection, then here is a study of your concern. According to a recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research the protection level depends on whether you have contracted the infection before or not, as per the report in Hindustan Times.
What has the study revealed?
The pilot study conducted on 114 healthcare professionals revealed that previous infection along with the first dose of Covaxin is equivalent to two doses of the vaccine in individuals who have not been infected by the virus.
The study has observed that participants with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection after a single vaccine dose elicited IgG (N) and IgG (S) antibody levels along with NAb binding inhibition responses levels similar to infection-naive vaccinated participants who had taken two doses of the vaccine, as per the HT report.
Basically, antibodies from being infected with Covid and the first dose of Covaxin combined is equal to two doses of Covaxin in a person who has never been infected.
Although two jabs of vaccines from Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V is mandatory to attain maximum protection against Covid-19, studies are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of doses for the purpose of scientific research and get a better understanding of how these vaccines are working.
As per reports, two doses of either Covaxin or Covishield provide over 90 per cent protection from Covid death amid cases of reinfection or breakthrough infections being reported in the country. The authors of the report noted that the results in a varied group of healthcare professionals and frontline workers lend support to the previous studies (albeit mainly focused on mRNA vaccines) that increased levels of SARS-CoV-2 binding and neutralizing antibodies are present after a single vaccine dose in previously infected individuals and are comparable to the levels seen after two doses in those without prior infection,
ICMR director general Balram Bhargava also mentioned these vaccines are mostly disease-modifying and not disease-preventing. Hence it is important to maintain Covid protocols.