Dr Sanjiv Kumar, Former Senior Advisor at UNICEF and Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre explains that even though the COVID cases are in control now the threat is still there, as the possibility of a new variants of the virus emerging from within India or other countries is very persistent
India has witnessed three deadly COVID-19 waves spreading throughout the country. It has been a matter of huge distress in many aspects. While the essential health services have been overwhelmed, services for current heavy burden of major health conditions like TB, cardiovascular, cancers ailments, etc. got neglected. Even though the COVID cases are in control now the threat is still there, as the possibility of a new variants of the virus emerging from within India or other countries is very persistent. Hence, keeping a watchful eye on new variants is the need of the hour.
Eradicating this virus has a long way off and hence, monitoring changes in the virus must be strengthened to identify any new variants of concern and take immediate containment actions. We need efficient prior preparedness to respond to the variant and prevent it from spreading. The healthcare system must possess capabilities to address the needs of the population groups at higher risk. We need to answer the following questions about the new variants; Is the clinical presentation of new variants different from the previous variants? Do the existing laboratory tests able to detect the new variants? Does it respond to available protocols of treatment? Are the available vaccines effective enough on the new variants? Do we need to focus on other things to stay safe?
It is the nature of RNA viruses such as the coronavirus to change rapidly. Mutations in viruses including the coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic are neither new nor unexpected. All RNA viruses mutate over time, some more than others.
Though Omicron comparatively had a smaller number of clinical cases, hospitalisations and deaths compared to the previous variants, the work is not done. Thousands of people still need to get vaccinated especially in remote areas. The year 2021 witnessed rapid increase in the vaccine production, the year 2022 must focus on vaccine equity to reach the unreached in the country. Let’s briefly discuss the 3 most common COVID vaccines in India-
Covaxin
Covaxin is developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology, which means that it contains inactivated viruses which produce immunity but cannot infect and multiply in human body. The covaxin booster dose trials showed promising results. High neutralising capacities of the covaxin boosted serum antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain, as well as the Delta and Omicron variants. This was evaluated using the live virus focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT).
Covishield
Covishield utilises modified spike proteins from a chimpanzee adenovirus – ChAdOx1virus to elicit an immune response against this protein of the virus. Developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford, the AstraZeneca vaccine’s third dose improved antibody response in countries where Omicron caused large number of cases. Positive results from a preliminary analysis of an ongoing safety and immunogenicity trial showed that covishield when given as a booster dose triggers a high antibody response.
Sputnik V and Sputnik light
Sputnik V, the world’s first registered COVID-19 vaccine, is an adenovirus viral vector vaccine. The recently approved Sputnik Light is based on recombinant human adenovirus (medium-sized, nonenveloped) serotype number 26 (the first component of Sputnik V). A study published in the Lancet shows that Sputnik V is the world’s first COVID vaccine with proven efficacy for people living with HIV based on a study conducted by the Gamaleya Centre and Moscow City Centre for AIDS Prevention and Control. Its efficacy against hospitalisation was more than 90 per cent and more than 97 per cent effective against moderate or severe disease among People Living with HIV(PLWH).
As of 25 March 2022, India has done a great job by administering over 1.8 billion doses, including first, second, and precautionary doses of the currently approved vaccines. We need to appreciate the efforts of healthcare workers including doctors, scientists, frontline workers who have done a tremendous job in identifying the variants, developing, and distributing effective vaccines, saving lives of thousands, and preventing millions of infections in India. However, at present what’s important is that we enhance the surveillance systems and be prepared for any possibilities. The eligible population groups in the general public must get fully vaccinated at the earliest, use mask and maintain physical distance while going to closed spaces and crowded areas.
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