New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that the natural immunity due to contracting coronavirus will remain for nine months.
The expansion of vaccination coverage will enhance immunity levels among people. The third dose of vaccine is being given to improve the immunity level. None of the existing vaccines can totally prevent Covid infection. The vaccines can only reduce the severity of the infection and associated health complications.
The third dose is aimed at avoiding hospitalisation and mortality. However, even after taking the third dose people should continue to adhere to other safety and preventive measures, ICMR director General Dr Balram Bhargav said.
Dr Bhargav said that a good majority of people of India had attained immunity due to viral infection, vaccination and antibody safety is ensured for nine months. Viral infection and vaccination will ensure immunity through cells. The studies carried out in Israel, Britain and Denmark have proved this. Of the three studies carried out in India, two were of the ICMR.
In the study conducted among 284 persons in Pune it was found that 80 percent antibodies against the virus existed for eight months. In Chennai the study conducted on 755 persons revealed that the antibody was present for 7 months, in Mumbai among 244 persons for six months.
Other ICMR observations
Covishield vaccine provides 90 percent protection from severity of infection for six months.
The immunity received from virus infection and vaccines is very effective.
The cell-centered immunity through Covid shield and Covaxin will remain even after 10 months.
The herd immunity among those who took Covishield after contracting the virus is more effective.
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