ICMR Study Has Shown Rise In Antibodies Post Covaxin Booster Dose: Govt

The NTAGI needs satisfactory logical information to make a proposal on blending of COVID-19 antibodies, the government said.

A view of a vial containing Covaxin Covid-19 booster vaccine (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: The Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that an ICMR study to inspect the impact of Covaxin's sponsor portion has shown an expansion in the degrees of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Worldwide information accessible on supporter dosages of AstraZeneca and Covishield recommends a three-to four-fold expansion in immune response levels after their administration, Pawar said.

"A study has been conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to examine the effect of a booster dose of Covaxin which shows an increase in the levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after the booster dose," Pawar stated.

According to the proposal of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), precaution dose is administered to healthcare workers, frontline laborers, and individuals aged 60 years or more since January 10, 2022, she said.

As on March 24, 2022, 2.21 crore precautionary measure dosages against COVID-19 have been controlled.

The NTAGI needs satisfactory logical information to make a proposal on the mixing of COVID-19 antibodies, the government said on Tuesday.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has granted permission to the Christian Medical College, Vellore to lead a stage IV review with Covishield and Covaxin to look at immunogenicity of mixed antibody routine and to Bharat Biotech for stage 2 clinical preliminary to assess the immunogenicity and security of Covaxin with BBV154 (Adenoviral Intranasal COVID-19 immunization), Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said.

"Adequate scientific data is required for NTAGI to make a recommendation on mixing of COVID-19 vaccines, at present this information is not available," Pawar said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.