The efficiency of covid vaccines need to be critically evaluated: AIIMS Chief

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• Nov 29, 2021 | Deleted

New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) chief Dr Randeep Guleria, warning about the new variant Omicron which already triggered global alarm in the World, said, “The efficiency of vaccines against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus needs to be critically evaluated.”

The new covid variant has atleast 30 mutations in the spike protein, which gives in the potential to bypass immunity provided by vaccines. In such a case, vaccines’ efficiency, including those used in India, needs to be evaluated critically, he said on Sunday.

As per reports, the presence of spike protein facilitates a virus entry into the host cell and is responsible for making it transmissible, causing infection.

Also Read: New Covid Variant Raises New Concern in the World, GOI Issues Guidelines

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia INSACOG is closely tracking the new variant of COVID-19 called B.1.1.529. However, the new variant, known as B.1.1 529, has not been detected in India.

Dr Guleria stressed the importance of screening international travelers, where there is a sudden increase in the number of cases.

“We should follow the covid guidelines appropriately and also have to be ensured that people get both the doses of vaccine and should encourage those who have not yet taken.,” said Dr Guleria.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus was first reported in South Africa by World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24. The variant has been detected in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel and other countries.

On Thursday, the Government of India (GOI) asked all the states and Union territories to screen all the passengers coming from South Africa, Hong Kong, and Botswana, where the new strain was reported.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines, the people who come in contact with these international passengers are also to be monitored and screened.