A study published by the Lancet has revealed that the immunity offered by the AstraZeneca-Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine wanes three months after receiving two doses, underlining the importance of booster shots.

The findings were based on the data of two million people in Scotland and 42 million people in Brazil who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is known as Covishield in India.

While analysing the data from Scotland, the researchers found that there was approximately a five-fold increase in the chance of being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19 nearly five months after being double vaccinated.

The decline in effectiveness begins to first appear around three months, when the risk of hospitalisation and death is double that of two weeks after the second dose, they said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/omicron-gradually-spreads-in-india-200-cases-detected-so-far-says-govt-438646">Omicron gradually spreads in India: 200 cases detected so far, says govt</a>

The researchers from Scotland and Brazil found that the risk of hospitalisation and death increases three-fold just short of four months after the second vaccine dose. Similar numbers were seen for Brazil, they said.

“Vaccines have been a key tool in fighting the pandemic, but waning in their effectiveness has been a concern for a while,” said Professor Aziz Sheikh, from the University of Edinburgh, UK.

“By identifying when waning first starts to occur in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, it should be possible for governments to design booster programmes that can ensure maximum protection is maintained,” Sheikh said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-fourth-booster-dose-for-over-60s-and-medics-as-omicron-rages-438890">Israel announces fourth booster dose for over 60s and medics as Omicron rages</a>

The team was able to compare data between Scotland and Brazil as they had a similar interval between doses —12 weeks —and initial prioritisation of who was vaccinated — people at highest risk of severe disease and healthcare workers.

The dominant variant was different in each country during the study period —Delta in Scotland and Gamma in Brazil.

This means the decline in effectiveness is likely because of vaccine waning and the impact of variants, the researchers said.

However, the experts warned that these figures should be treated with caution because it is becoming harder to compare non-vaccinated people to those vaccinated with similar characteristics, particularly among older age groups where so many people are now vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

A study published by the Lancet has revealed that the immunity offered by the AstraZeneca-Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine wanes three months after receiving two doses, underlining the importance of booster shots.

A study published by the Lancet has revealed that the immunity offered by the AstraZeneca-Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine wanes three months after receiving two doses, underlining the importance of booster shots. The findings were based on the data of two million people in Scotland and 42 million people in Brazil who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is known as Covishield in India. While analysing the data from Scotland, the researchers found that there was approximately a five-fold increase in the chance of being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19 nearly five months after being double vaccinated. The decline in effectiveness begins to first appear around three months, when the risk of hospitalisation and death is double that of two weeks after the second dose, they said. Also read | Omicron gradually spreads in India: 200 cases detected so far, says govt The researchers from Scotland and Brazil found that the risk of hospitalisation and death increases three-fold just short of four months after the second vaccine dose. Similar numbers were seen for Brazil, they said. “Vaccines have been a key tool in fighting the pandemic, but waning in their effectiveness has been a concern for a while,” said Professor Aziz Sheikh, from the University of Edinburgh, UK. “By identifying when waning first starts to occur in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, it should be possible for governments to design booster programmes that can ensure maximum protection is maintained,” Sheikh said. Also read | Israel announces fourth booster dose for over 60s and medics as Omicron rages The team was able to compare data between Scotland and Brazil as they had a similar interval between doses —12 weeks —and initial prioritisation of who was vaccinated — people at highest risk of severe disease and healthcare workers. The dominant variant was different in each country during the study period —Delta in Scotland and Gamma in Brazil. This means the decline in effectiveness is likely because of vaccine waning and the impact of variants, the researchers said. However, the experts warned that these figures should be treated with caution because it is becoming harder to compare non-vaccinated people to those vaccinated with similar characteristics, particularly among older age groups where so many people are now vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine immunity declines after 3 months, says Lancet study

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population.

Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began.

The tiny Himalayan kingdom wedged between India and China has vaccinated nearly 85% of its adult population since March 27. Overall, the country has vaccinated 62% of its 800,000 people.

According to a report by The Economist, only Israel (95.1%) and Seychelles (94.1%) have vaccinated a higher percentage of adults, but in months.

Bhutan started its vaccination drive on March 27 with Ninda Dema, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of the Monkey as per Buddhist astrology. She became the country’s first to receive the shot at a school-turned vaccination centre in the capital Thimphu, an event that was televised live.

Ninda, a bureaucrat, folded the sleeve of her jacket and pressed her palms in a traditional gesture of greetings and prayers as she received the dose from a masked nurse amid lighting of butter lamps and chanting of Buddhist prayers. The nurse was also born in the same year of the Monkey.

Buddist years are named after 12 animals like goat, rooster, pig and religious followers believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are inventive and can solve even the most difficult problems rather easily.

A country of about 800,000 people Bhutan received 150,000 doses of the vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in January. But unlike neighbouring Nepal that has suspended the campaign due to the lack of vaccines, authorities in Bhutan waited for 400,000 more shots that were provided this month to begin the campaign in one go.

The scenic country, which is heavily dependent on high-end tourists, is famous for its “gross national happiness” index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development.

The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population. Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began.

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population. Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began. The tiny Himalayan kingdom wedged between India and China has vaccinated nearly 85% of its adult population since March 27. Overall, the country has vaccinated 62% of its 800,000 people. According to a report by The Economist, only Israel (95.1%) and Seychelles (94.1%) have vaccinated a higher percentage of adults, but in months. Bhutan started its vaccination drive on March 27 with Ninda Dema, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of the Monkey as per Buddhist astrology. She became the country’s first to receive the shot at a school-turned vaccination centre in the capital Thimphu, an event that was televised live. Ninda, a bureaucrat, folded the sleeve of her jacket and pressed her palms in a traditional gesture of greetings and prayers as she received the dose from a masked nurse amid lighting of butter lamps and chanting of Buddhist prayers. The nurse was also born in the same year of the Monkey. Buddist years are named after 12 animals like goat, rooster, pig and religious followers believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are inventive and can solve even the most difficult problems rather easily. A country of about 800,000 people Bhutan received 150,000 doses of the vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in January. But unlike neighbouring Nepal that has suspended the campaign due to the lack of vaccines, authorities in Bhutan waited for 400,000 more shots that were provided this month to begin the campaign in one go. The scenic country, which is heavily dependent on high-end tourists, is famous for its “gross national happiness” index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development. The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far. (With inputs from agencies)

Bhutan vaccinates 85% of the population in record time

Days after India gifted vaccines to Mongolia, the country is keen to get more vaccines from New Delhi, this time commercially.&nbsp;

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Caring for a Spiritual Neighbour. Made in India vaccines reach Mongolia. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaccineMaitri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaccineMaitri</a> <a href="https://t.co/8wIRImXX7D">pic.twitter.com/8wIRImXX7D</a>
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The deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia has written to India's external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar requesting for 10 to 15 lakh India-made vaccines Covishield.

India had gifted 1.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to Mongolia on February 21 that helped the country begin its vaccination drive.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was vaccinated using India-made vaccines. What makes Covishield is the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine produced by Pune-based Serum Institute of India much sought after is that it has got approval from the World Health Organization (WHO).

India and Mongolia share close ties and have seen a number of visits including the famous visit of Indian PM Modi in 2015. Mongolia, landlocked between China and Russia considers India as its spiritual and third neighbour.

New Delhi's outreach on COVID-19 vaccines has been much appreciated globally with India sending 568.06 lakh doses of vaccines to 56 countries and UN Health workers.&nbsp;

Not only Mongolia but countries in South Asia - Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and countries in Africa and Caricom region began their COVID-19 vaccination using India-made coronavirus vaccines.

Days after India gifted vaccines to Mongolia, the country is keen to get more vaccines from New Delhi, this time commercially. Caring for a Spiritual Neighbour. Made in India vaccines reach Mongolia.

Days after India gifted vaccines to Mongolia, the country is keen to get more vaccines from New Delhi, this time commercially. Caring for a Spiritual Neighbour. Made in India vaccines reach Mongolia. #VaccineMaitri pic.twitter.com/8wIRImXX7D — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 22, 2021 × The deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia has written to India's external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar requesting for 10 to 15 lakh India-made vaccines Covishield. India had gifted 1.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to Mongolia on February 21 that helped the country begin its vaccination drive. Interestingly, the Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was vaccinated using India-made vaccines. What makes Covishield is the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine produced by Pune-based Serum Institute of India much sought after is that it has got approval from the World Health Organization (WHO). India and Mongolia share close ties and have seen a number of visits including the famous visit of Indian PM Modi in 2015. Mongolia, landlocked between China and Russia considers India as its spiritual and third neighbour. New Delhi's outreach on COVID-19 vaccines has been much appreciated globally with India sending 568.06 lakh doses of vaccines to 56 countries and UN Health workers. Not only Mongolia but countries in South Asia - Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and countries in Africa and Caricom region began their COVID-19 vaccination using India-made coronavirus vaccines.

Mongolia requests for more vaccines from India