Booster Dose: CMC study found that boosting with a different vaccine increased antibody response

A booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine that was not the same as the initial dose elevated antibody levels higher than a booster dose of the same vaccination.

When compared to a Covishield booster after two Covishield shots, a Covishield booster after two Covishield shots produced the highest antibody response, but these levels were no guarantee against future Omicron infection, according to Jayprakash Muliyil, member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).

Dr. Mulayil was commenting on the findings of research commissioned by the Centre and done by the Christian Medical College in Vellore to gather data on the future of India’s vaccination strategy. Over 191 crore vaccination doses have been provided in India thus far, with approximately 90% of individuals receiving at least one shot. The NTAGI examines immunization data and is one of the professional scientific bodies that recommend authorized vaccinations for government usage.

Trial of mix booster Dose

The trial involved 400 patients who were administered different combinations of Covishield or Covaxin as heterologous or homologous boosters by CMC scientists. They presented their findings to both the NTAGI and the Indian Drugs Controller General.

When the third dose differs from the previous doses, it is called a heterologous booster. According to a source familiar with the investigation who declined to be identified, a complete report on the study’s findings is anticipated in the next two weeks. A heterologous booster produced increased antibody counts, according to this person.

“Both homologous and heterologous combinations increased antibody levels. “The most impressive (in terms of levels) response was Covishield followed by two Covaxin doses, and the least impressive (in terms of levels) response was three Covaxin doses, but that alone is not the whole story and only shows that the body’s T cells (immunity cells) recognise the virus and produce a response,” said Dr. Muliyil, a former principal of the CMC.

“As studies from England have demonstrated, the Omicron-led wave considerably increased antibody levels. So, after an Omicron infection, people’s antibody levels are really high, and booster dosages don’t really help.” ‘ He went on to say that the CMC study was commissioned before the Omicron wave, but that it was now of “minimal value” following the wave.

He said that because the infants were “vaccinated by Omicron,” there was no scientific evidence that immunizations would harm them. This was due to the fact that children only had a minor infection, and because Omicron is a SARS-CoV-2 type that causes a large antibody response upon infection, a vaccination dose would be unlikely to be useful.

For youngsters under the age of 12, the NTAGI has not recommended any vaccines. Several research from throughout the world has confirmed that heterologous boosts elicit a stronger immunological response than homologous boosts. India is now pursuing a homogeneous boosting policy.

Indian citizens and students traveling abroad can now take the precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccination as required by destination country recommendations, according to a recommendation from the NTAGI, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet on Thursday.

India began providing preventive Booster doses to all

India began providing preventive doses to all adults above the age of 18 on April 10 at private vaccination centres. The Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin are now available for 225 per dose, down from 600 and 1,200, respectively. Over and beyond the cost of the vaccine, private vaccination centres can charge up to $150 per dose as a service fee. With the overall number of cases being low, India’s prophylactic dose numbers have remained low, with just over 1,00,000 doses being supplied daily.

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