Coronavirus seems to always be in the headlines. Just when we thought that the struggle against coronavirus is about to end and the new year would mean the return of the old normal, COVID made a comeback in a new form- the B117 virus.
The new strain of the virus that emerged in the UK has spread to many other countries. Even though flights to the UK are not being operated, the virus has arrived in India too.
Naturally, this poses a question- will the coronavirus vaccine work against B117?
The only difference between B117 virus and the other strains of COVID is that it is much more contagious. In fact, of all the different strains of COVID, this one has the highest percentage of transmissibility, which stands at 70%.
The good news is that scientists across the world believe that the coronavirus vaccine will be effective against the B117 virus as well.
Firstly, scientists have found that this virus does not have extra virulence. That means it is not more dangerous than the other strains of COVID. If a vaccine against the corona virus is proven to be effective, it may also be effective against the new strain of the virus.
Most importantly, there is no change in the spike protein of the B117 virus. The spike protein determines how effective the coronavirus vaccine will be.
Ever since it was announced that India’s home-grown coronavirus vaccine- Covaxin by Bharat Biotech has been given emergency approval, it has met huge backlash. Scientists are doubtful about its efficacy because it has not yet completed the vital phase 3 trial. Moreover, its efficacy reports have not been published.
Once this coronavirus vaccine completes the trials and scientists know more about its effectiveness, we can get a better idea of whether India’s COVID vaccine can prevent the B117 virus.
So in the meantime, the best we can all do is observe COVID protocol and wait for the coronavirus vaccine to roll out.
After months of waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine, and desperately wanting our old lives to resume, our prayers have been answered. Several COVID vaccines are almost ready and the Government has stated that roll-out will begin soon.
In this context, the latest update issued by the government has triggered a country-wide debate.
2 vaccines have been given formal approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) – Covishield (Serum Institute of India and Oxford-AstraZeneca) and Covaxin (Bharat Biotech).
The Health Ministry has stated that nearly 3 crore healthcare professionals and frontline workers will be administered with Covishied or Covaxin on an emergency basis because they are in direct line of danger. It is not yet known which of the 2 coronavirus vaccines will be administered.
But we do know that these high-priority groups will be given coronavirus vaccines free of cost. Roll-out will commence within a fortnight.
The CDSCO has given the green light to emergency approval after a recommendation came from a Subject Expert Committee who discussed the merits of the 2 vaccines in multiple sessions spanning 12 hours.
In a press release, the Health Ministry has informed the country that the results of Covidhshied on Indian test volunteers are almost the same as those of international volunteers. No other data is available as of now.
Healthcare professionals have cited some valid reasons for their worries. Firstly, neither Covishield nor Covaxin has completed the phase 3 trials.
We at least know that the efficacy rate of the Oxford vaccine is 70.4 % (based on trials in Brazil and the UK, not India). But Bharat Biotech is yet to publish efficacy reports of Covaxin.
Similarly, the effectiveness percentage of Oxford’s Covishield as per the Indian 3rd phase trials has not yet been released.
Bharat Biotech has provided evidence of safety and immunogenicity (proof that the vaccine triggers an immune response), but has been silent on just how effective its vaccine is!
The Health Ministry has said that the approval applies to ‘ restricted use in emergency situations. This means that this is not a universal roll-out.
Only certain segments of the population will be receiving the vaccines on an emergency basis because the threat they face is high. These people will be monitored and if there is any adverse effect, the vaccines will be withdrawn.
Experts have also said that 3rd phase trials will continue for both Covishield and Covaxin.
Other reasons why some experts feel that emergency use of Covishield and Covaxin is merited are-
Many experts have appealed to the government for explaining the rationale behind such a rushed decision and have asked for access to more data accessible. Mostly, it is beyond the common people. What we can do is observe COVID protocol and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
2020, the most challenging year for the world in living memory, is drawing to a close. India too witnessed a massive healthcare crisis and a financial downturn. But the good news is that the pandemic is slowing down in India. Most experts and doctors feel that we have reached our peak in September, and now COVID cases will slowly decline. Besides, it is only a matter of months before we have a COVID vaccine!
So, why has the Union Health Ministry issued a fresh set of guidelines that are coming into effect and will stay in force until 31st December? For starters, not all states have been able to flatten the curve, and COVID is showing no signs of slowing down. Secondly, even those states that have been able to more or less contain the spread of COVID, need to continue to be cautious, else there could be another break-out.
So what are the new guidelines all about?
The Centre Government has asked states to impose night curfews whenever and wherever needed. It is up to the state authorities to analyse the condition and see if restrictive measures are necessary. States can also declare containment zones. But they will NOT impose lockdown outside of the containment zones.
States will be able to reduce work hours, implement WFH or similar measures in those cities where COVID positivity rate is more than 10. By reducing the number of employees coming to the office all at once, the spread of COVID can be contained.
States will have full power to take action against any individual who refuses to follow the COVID protocol, such as not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing.
The Centre has assured the states that there will be no prohibition of the movement of both people and goods from one state to another. Cross border trade will continue with neighbouring countries.
This mantra will continue to be the state’s focus in curbing the spread of COVID. Surveillance teams will be posted in containment zones. Their job is to ensure that COVID patients are isolated and receiving the treatment they need. Police will be patrolling the zones and along with municipal authorities will make sure that all containment measures are being implemented. People will not be allowed into or out of containment zones except for emergencies.
The Union Government has also released Standard Operating Procedures, also called SOPs for how to behave in crowded places. Crowded Indian market places continue to be high-risk transmission spots, and utter caution is called for to combat the spread of COVID.
The Centre has requested the states to stress the importance of online shopping of groceries, medicines, and other essentials. It has also asked State authorities to consider giving discounts or incentives for non-peak-hour shopping.
In containment zones, markets and shops will remain closed. People who are currently living in a containment zone but have shops outside of the containment zone will not be allowed to open their stores. No such restriction is required for shops and stores operating in non-containment zones.
Instead of government or municipal authorities directly intervening in the COVID SOPs of a market, the market should form its own subcommittee that will be responsible for the implementation of COVID protocol. The state government should make arrangements for mass thermal screening, handwashing stations, public washrooms, contact-less soap dispensers in all large markets in the state.
The wait for the end of COVID is near. But we cannot afford to be careless now. Let us cooperate fully with our governments and follow all the instructions to keep everyone safe.
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be getting more dangerous every day. The country is reeling under a high caseload. Hence, all of us are being urged to be extremely cautious and maintain all precautions to prevent being infected or passing on the virus to our loved one.
At this juncture, a vaccine is the only thing that can save the day. For quite a few days now, we have been hearing reports on how India is making rapid strides in developing a vaccine. The name COVAXIN is doing the rounds. What is it and when can we expect it? Read on to find out.
COVAXIN is India’s first attempt at creating a vaccine that will successfully immunize the human body against the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is actually an ‘inactivated’ vaccine made from killed COVID-19 viruses that will not harm the body when injected but will teach your immunity to recognise and kill COVID-19 virus if it enters your system by producing antibodies.
The vaccine is being developed by the ICMR’s (Indian council of medical research) National Institute of Virology wing as well as Bharat Biotech.
Permission has been granted by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to carry out human trials of COVAXIN.
The animal trials have concluded and there will have to be 3 phases of human trial before the vaccine is ready for launch. The DCGI has issued a permit to conduct only Phase 1 and Phase 2 of human trials.
In a letter recently published by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad was selected as a trial site among a total of 12 Institutes (including the Patna and Delhi AIIMS) where the ICMR would be conducting human trials.
The trial at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences started on Tuesday, 8th July 2020 and is underway. At least 30 people will be screened and given the vaccine. Audio and visual consent of the persons will be sought before the trial begins.
According to the ICMR, the drug will be administered to 1100 people in different trial sites over the upcoming days and there will be two phases of human trials.
The director of NIMS has said that samples of blood will be drawn from healthy people and sent to New Delhi’s designated labs after which they will be examined by experts and the first-ever shot of COVAXIN will be administered.
The enrolment procedure started on 7th July.
Covaxin is inactivated coronavirus vaccine called Covaxin. India authorized the vaccine for emergency use on Jan. 3, and trial results later showed the vaccine has an efficacy of 78 percent
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
There is another vaccine being developed by Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech called Zy-Cov-D. It received a nod from the DCGI to carry out human trials. Zydus Cadila said that it has also procured permission from Mexico to test one of its products to see how effective it can be in COVID-19 management.
The US government is conducting Phase 3 human trials for 3 vaccine companies under the banner of Operation Warp Speed.
People with acute infection or fever or who are allergic to any components of covaxin, or those who had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of this vaccine should not take covaxin.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
According to the ICMR, efforts are on to make the vaccine ready by 15th August 2020.
Remember to not let your guard down because the pandemic is still raging. Follow precautions strictly to stay safe and healthy.
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