Sambalpur: Doctors of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla in western Odisha have found that Covishield booster shot significantly increased antibody levels against Covid, indicating enhanced protection against the virus. The study has been published in the international journal Cureus of Springer Nature Group. The group of doctors of the premier healthcare institution who conducted the study comprised Dr Trupti Meher, Dr Subrat Kumar Pradhan, Dr Shankar P Hatei, Dr Subash Chandra Majhi, Dr Aishwarya Panda, Dr Smriti R Mund and Dr Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra. Dr Sanjeeb Mishra, corresponding author of the study, said,
The study included 132 healthcare providers, mostly women with a mean age of 35 years. They received the booster shot at least nine months after the second dose. The results showed that antibody levels significantly increased after the booster shot, with a mean fold rise of more than 30 per cent.
Also Read: Covid Vaccine Pioneers Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman Awarded Nobel Prize In Medicine
Dr Mishra said the study also found that the antibody levels were higher in participants who had a longer interval between the second dose and the booster shot. Interestingly, 38 of the participants had negligible antibody levels prior to the booster dose which signifies the need for the timely shot, he said.
The study suggests that the third booster shot can significantly enhance protection against the virus, especially in healthcare providers who are at a higher risk of exposure. The study also highlights the importance of monitoring the antibody levels after the booster shot to ensure optimal protection against the virus. Dr Mishra further added,
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 (Covishield) booster dose in enhancing protection against Covid. The findings have important implications for the ongoing vaccination campaigns and the efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Also Read: Covid Vaccination Provided 60 Per Cent Protection Against Post-Discharge Mortality: Study
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
