PRESS
RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS SHOULD GET THEMSELVES VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19
WITHOUT ANY HESITATION: DR. SAMIRAN PANDA, HEAD, DIVISION OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, ICMR
“VACCINES AVAILABLE NOW ARE LARGELY EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE NEW VARIANTS OF COVID-19”
COVID19
VIRUS MAY REACH ITS ENDEMIC STAGE AFTER A WHILE, LIKE INFLUENZA: DR. PANDA
POSTED ON: 09 JUL 2021 1:30PM BY PIB MUMBAI
Mumbai, July 9, 2021
Breastfeeding
mothers should get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 without any
hesitation. The anti-bodies that are developed in the mother as a result of the
vaccination get passively transferred to the baby while breastfeeding and could
be helpful to the child, says Shri Samiran Panda, Head, Division of
Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council for Medical Research.
The vaccines available now
are largely effective against the new variants of COVID19
Many people are
concerned whether our vaccines will be effective against the newer strains of
SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to Dr. Panda, the vaccines available now
largely are effective against the new variants. He further explains, vaccines
are not infection preventing, but disease-modifying. Experiments at ICMR have
proved that the vaccines presently available in India are effective against the
new variants as well. However, the efficacy may differ for different strains.
People are also wary
that the vaccines that they are receiving now may not be effective after a
while, as the virus is mutating rapidly. However, Dr. Panda points out that
mutation is normal for all viruses when they proliferate. Experts suggest that
the COVID-19 virus will reach its endemic stage like Influenza after a while
and then vulnerable population may have to take the vaccine shot
annually. Dr. Panda explains Influenza commonly known as flu was a pandemic
100 years ago but today it is endemic. Similarly, in case of COVID-19, we
expect that it will gradually become endemic from its current state of being a
pandemic. Currently, we recommend the elderly to take annual flu shots. As the
influenza virus keeps on mutating, we simultaneously make minor changes in the
vaccine. So, there is no need to panic.
It is futile to go for
anti-body tests: Dr. Samiran Panda
Dr. Samiran Panda
further says that it is futile to go for anti-body tests as the immunity does
not depend only on anti-bodies. He adds, the anti-bodies that are seen using
the commercial kits available in the market are not necessarily the anti-bodies
that can protect from COVID disease. Dr. Panda explains that whenever a
person gets vaccinated, two types of immunity emerge. One is known as
neutralizing anti-body or anti-body mediated immunity. Second one is cell
mediated immunity. Third one and the most important one is immune memory. An
immune memory is generated after vaccination and is present in cells and
whenever the virus enters the body, this gets activated.
“Vaccines are absolutely
safe”
Dr. Samiran Panda
clarifies that people with normal allergies like asthma, dust allergy, allergy
of pollen grains etc. can take the vaccine. Patients with co-morbidities can
take the vaccine if they are stable. It is advisable for people suffering from
diabetes and other immuno-suppressed conditions to get vaccinated because they
are at a higher risk. “All the vaccines that are currently available in India
have gone through three phases of clinical trials. Safety is tested in the
first phase itself. Immunity and efficacy are tested in the later phases. So, I
assure everyone that the vaccines are absolutely safe.” Dr. Panda added that
blood clotting events or AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization) following
COVID vaccination are miniscule in India.
Dr. Panda also suggests
that the best option is to take the vaccine available in the country now,
rather than waiting for other vaccines that are available globally and may come
to India after some time. Dr. Panda explains, please understand that while
people may be waiting for other vaccines which they may consider more
convenient or superior, the virus is not waiting. The virus is still spreading
in the country. What if you get infected, while you wait, he asks.
Dr. Panda says there is
no change suggested in preventive measures and treatment of COVID-19 in light
of the new variants. “All the mutants, whether it is circulating strains
of the virus or the newer variants, the mode of spread is the same. Precautions
like wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, hand sanitation are still the
effective methods to control the spread of the virus.”
As far as the treatment
of COVID-19 is concerned, we do not feel any need to change the current
standard treatment methods in wake of the new variants of Coronavirus, he adds.
Watch the full interview
at this link: https://www.indiascience.in/videos/corona-ko-harana-hai-vaccination-special-with-dr-samiran-panda-head-division-of-epidemiology-and-communicable-diseases-icmr
Prarthna/DJM/CY/PIB
Mumbai (Release ID: 1734159)
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