Covid-19: What if the vaccines will not work against the new variant Omicron?

Some public health experts feel that we must have some other plans ready with such vaccine platforms which can be adaptable to the changing scenario.

After the Covid Task Force chief Dr VK Paul’s recent statement that there is a possibility that the available vaccines might not work against the new variant and India should be ready for such vaccines platforms that are quickly adaptable, there is a growing concern among people about the effectiveness of vaccines.

Some public health experts feel that we must have some other plans ready with such vaccine platforms which can be adaptable to the changing scenario.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Omicron hasn’t caused any widespread outbreak in part of the country. Stray cases have been reported from many states which gives an indication that some sort of immunity is helping people from getting infected.

A section of experts is of the view that the immune profiles of Indians are unique as they enjoy the benefits of natural as well as vaccine acquired immunity. They call it hybrid immunity.

It has also been noticed that once a naturally recovered person is administered two doses of vaccine, his or her antibody shoots up to a high level. Though there is no scientific study to show that high antibody protect an individual from infection, yet some anecdotal cases show that high antibody is good to fight against the virus.

“Natural immunity is far better than vaccine acquired immunity and this has been scientifically and epidemiologically proven. So I believe that we don’t need to worry about anything. I have always said that we need to be cautious and don’t get into any panicked situation,” Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor, Community Medicine in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, said.