Latest study by researchers at the University of Oxford has found that a booster dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine could offer some protection against the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
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How Did This Happen?
This vaccine significantly increases the levels of neutralising antibodies against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Marketed under the brand names Covishield, the AstraZeneca vaccine is manufactured in India.
While, Vaxzevria is produced in South Korea.
But, both of these vaccines were developed at the laboratories of the University of Oxford.
How Does It Work?
According to these findings, the sera obtained from individuals one month after receiving the third dose was able to neutralise the Omicron variant to levels that were comparable to those observed against the Delta variant one month after the second dose.
Beside this, the company said that the levels of neutralising antibodies after the third dose were found to be higher than those observed in individuals who had been previously infected with other variants, including Delta, and recovered on their own, in a statement.
Apart from this, the studies on other vaccines like Moderna or Pfizer have also suggested that their third doses offered some protection against the Omicron variant.
However, it will have reduced effectiveness compared to their action against the Delta variant.
In India, Covishield accounts for more than 85 percent of all vaccines given so far.
This is why it can not be considered as an ideal vaccine for the booster doses.
According to the health experts and several studies, booster doses work best if a vaccine different from the primary doses is used.
AstraZeneca had also unveiled its plans for developing an Omicron-specific vaccine a few days ago.
Vaccination For Children
Now, several countries in Europe have begun vaccinating children below 12 years of age considering the rapid surge in infections with the Omicron variant.
While, in most of the countries, only above 18 people have been vaccinated due to the very low prevalence of coronavirus cases in younger age groups.
Later, some countries have opened up vaccinations for the 12-18 age group as well.
It seems that the unvaccinated younger age groups are being considered vulnerable to the Omicron variant.
Same is revealed by a recent study in France.
They found that the infection among children in the 6-10 age group to be twice that among the large population.
Now, France has said that it would provide vaccines to everyone above the age of five.
Other countries like Germany, Greece, Spain and the United States, too, have opened up vaccinations for children.
Surge In Omicron Cases
So far, four of the 23 Omicron cases have been discovered in Maharashtra.
While, l three out of seven in Gujarat on Thursday were among people below the age of 18 years.
In the meantime, the UK continues to witness the second consecutive day of record-breaking number of new coronavirus cases on Thursday.
The country has more than 1.19 lakh cases in a 24-hour period, after detecting over 1.06 lakh the previous day.