Results on vaccine efficacy against new variant likely next week

The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, which is in the process to isolate and culture the Omicron strain to assess the efficacy of vaccines may have some answers by next week, people in the know told ET.

India's Covid-19 advisory group is hopeful that by next week NIV would be able to culture the virus and may know how the existing vaccines are working, the same people said.

The scientific advisory group on Covid-19 will take a final decision on the need for a booster dose, additional dose for immunocompromised people and vaccination of children after the National Institute of Virology (NIV) submits its report on whether existing vaccines are effective against the heavily mutated Omicron, even as some preliminary studies have found that omicron reduces the efficacy of two-dose Covid vaccines, but a booster shot can restore protection.


Experts in India say that there is no hurry and a decision on booster dose will be taken after there is appropriate evidence. "The effectiveness studies that are appearing so far from other countries cannot be applied to India as a blanket. We will wait for our study to take the key decisions on the need for booster doses. We are hoping that by next week, NIV will have some answers ready and we will have some clarity," said a member of the Covid-19 advisory group.

A number of early studies, though not yet peer reviewed, have shown that Covid vaccines are less effective against omicron variant.

The latest study from the UK by the scientists from the University of Oxford revealed that two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines were substantially less effective at fighting Omicron compared to previous strains.

The Centre on Friday said that there was no evidence to suggest that vaccines are not effective against the Omicron variant.

VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said, "We are engaging our scientific community on the need for boosters. We will be offering this option when there is appropriate evidence and need. Let us first inoculate all adults with both doses."

Paul also vouched for indigeneous mRNA vaccine to be manufactured by Genova. "Gennova mRNA vaccine is moving very well through Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. It is stable at the normal temperature. It is a remarkable possibility and technology on the horizon," Paul said.

India's Omicron tally now stands at 101, with Maharashtra recording the maximum cases, followed by Delhi. The health ministry on Friday cited WHO's concerns regarding the spread of Delta, while also advising people to exercise caution and follow appropriate norms.