Hybrid Immunity is Effective Against Omicron: Dr Padmanabha Shenoy

KOCHI:
Hybrid immunity is effective in preventing the spread of the omicron variant of Corona virus, according to the findings of the study conducted by a team led by Kerala doctor. It is the first time this kind of research carried out in the country

”The impact caused by omicron in India was very less compared to the crisis it created in countries such as the US and the UK. Hybrid immunity present in Indian population is the one of the main reasons for low death rate, compared to other countries,” said Clinical Immunologist and Rheumatologist Dr. Padmanabha Shenoy who headed the research. Dr. Sakir Ahmed of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, as co-researcher.

”Human body gains immunity through natural infection or vaccination. Hybrid immunity is the immunity generated when a person with prior infection receives a vaccine ‘ Dr. Shenoy explained at the press conference in Kochi on Wednesday

The research included a cohort of about 2000 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases at the Centre for Arthritis & Rheumatism Excellence (CARE).

It was found during the initial studies that Hybrid immunity generated antibody levels 30 times higher than those who have received 2 doses of vaccines. While 60 % patients who had received two vaccine doses were able to neutralize the original Wuhan strain of virus, 90 % of people with hybrid immunity could
neutralize the original strain. Even in the Delta variant also the figures were almost similar. The research data was published in Lancet Rheumatology, in the month of November

But when it comes to Omircon variant, patients who had received two doses of vaccines either Covaxin or Covischield were not able to neutralize the Omicron variant. While 65 % of patients who had received single dose of Covishield following a infection, were able to neutralize Omicron variant. As more than 70 % of Indians were infected with Delta during the second wave and India has vaccinated 95 % of eligible population at least with one dose close to three-fourth of India’s population has hybrid immunity. This hybrid immunity wall is the reason India had a relatively minor third wave. ‘ Dr Shenoy said.

He also added that his team is now extensively involved in decoding the impact of Covaxin – Hybrid in preventing the Omicron and will be available soon.