New Delhi Dr NK Arora, head of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), said that the fourth dose of the vaccine may be unnecessary despite the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in India. In an interview, Arora said that the recent Covid deaths occurred in cases where the infected people had a pre-existing disease. The current surge is dominated by the XBB.1.16 variant with a higher infection transmission rate as India reported over 5,300 new cases on Thursday. edited excerpts,
Is the Dominant Covid Variant Circulating a Cause for Worry?
If we look at the figures six to eight weeks back, the daily Covid cases were less than 150. Now, it has slowly started increasing to 3,000-4,000 cases per day. During this time, XBB—a recombinant sub-variant with multiple variants such as XBB.1, XBB.1.5, XX1.2 and now XBB.1.16—has been spreading with higher infectivity and transmission rates. Right now, the XBB variant is around 90%, of which 65% is XBB.1.16. About 97-98% of the population has been vaccinated. Positive cases are being reported from those who have been vaccinated and 20-40% in different places are those who have taken the preventive dose. Fortunately, there is no seriousness, and those who are getting hospitalized have co-morbid conditions related to lungs, heart, kidney and liver. The deaths being reported in such (co-morbid) groups of patients and Covid are incidental findings.
Has Covid made a comeback?
Covid never went away. It was always with us. There are many variants of Covid and three sub-mutant variants appear every two days. We need to be careful and alert.
Do we need a fourth dose of vaccine?
First of all, those who have not taken precautions should take it. This is the only way to keep the illness mild. At the same time, more than 90% of India’s population has been infected naturally. So, we have all the evidence of hybrid immunity (vaccine + natural infection) and it gives very strong protection, and in all the discussions, we have never talked about any additional dose. So there is no such plan for the fourth dose.
Is it time to mask again?
It’s time for reverse protection. People who have symptoms must wear a mask to keep others safe. If going out in crowded places or in hospital, wearing a mask is wise and should be a part of our lifestyle.
They only use antibiotics if people catch fever through a viral infection like Covid. What do you have to say about this?
There is no role for any antibiotics in any current viral infection. The only thing that has to be done is to treat the symptoms; Paracetamol can be used as and when required and take plenty of fluids.
Is the government worried about the rising number of Covid cases?
Guidelines have been issued to all State/Union Territory governments. The surveillance by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is ongoing extensively. Sewage sampling surveillance is also ongoing, and at the same time, there is a nationwide influenza network that is conducting influenza surveillance. Mock drills were conducted to keep the hospital ready; Oxygen supply and anti viral medicines are being stocked.
Along with Covid, there is also a surge of Influenza H3N2. Do you think there is a connection between the two?
For practical purposes, mixed transits do not occur and are very uncommon.
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