BHUBANESWAR: The Institute of Life Science (ILS), Bhubaneswar, announced that 20 per cent of the fully vaccinated population in Odisha may need a booster shot as they failed to develop antibodies against COVID-19. Dr Ajay Parida, Director, ILS, stated that an individual is considered antibody-positive if the count is between 60 to 100.
Data collected by ILS showed that several COVID-19 infected people have antibody levels ranging between 30,000 to 40,000. However, below 50 antibody levels were found in a significant number of vaccinated individuals.
Dr Parida explained that the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines provide only 70 to 80 per cent protection against COVID-19. Facts revealed through an antibody genome sequencing study dictate that the wide gap between antibody levels amongst individuals is because of their genetic order. He added that children and adolescents between the age group of 0 to 18 years, along with the aforementioned 20 per cent of adults, are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections and they should tread carefully during the possible third wave of the pandemic.