Chandigarh: Unlike other vaccines that exist towards Covid, it has been found that Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin targets not only mutations in surge proteins but also many proteins, thus offer protection against alpha, beta, gamma, kappa variants, and delta.
Also, the protection offered by the custom vaccine is generated through memory cells (T cells, cell b), the long-term and not affected by cutting antibodies.
This has been concluded by a group of scientists in the first preprighter study led by the National Institute of Immunology (NII), Delhi.
Based on the data generated by this study, scientists have proposed further investigations for booster doses through intranasal routes to control transmission of infection and viruses.
“We studied in a six-month cohort where Covaxin induced a good memory response.
So we believe that up to six months of full immunization, no booster dose is needed.
Follow-up of this cohort afterwards, will help us to understand whether we really need it Booster Shots or No, “said Dr.
Nimesh Gupta, the appropriate research writer in NII.
“The best protection was found against Alpha and Delta and the least contrary to the beta variant,” he added.
The immune response caused by a vaccine is found similar to natural infections.
“We have all viruses and the immune system we install a response to all viral proteins.
The impact of this vaccine may be similar to natural infections where allowing our immune system to install memory responses to many proteins.
The benefits are if a large variant comes from the mutation in a spike protein , which can escape from vaccines only target a surge protein, in this vaccine there are several additional protective responses from responses to other proteins, “said Dr.
Gupta.
Also, vaccines, in low doses, can be tested on pediatric populations.
“We don’t need a high number of immune responses for Covid but they must be optimal.
In children, low doses can protect,” said scientist.
The researchers believe that the generation of memory is mainly caused by the Ajuvan in the vaccine that has been used for the first time.
“The whole virus has a response to many proteins so you can be fully protected against variants.
And this Ajuvant produces immune responses – which is very close to the nature of natural infection,” Dr.
Gupta said.
This study was conducted in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, California, Infectious Disease Division and Global Public Health, California University, San Diego, Institute Translation technology and technology translation, Faridabad and Esic Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad.