In order to understand level of protection offered by vaccine
As more evidence emerges on the immune escape potential of B.1.617.2, the SARS-CoV2-virus variant sweeping across Kerala, and the lowered effectiveness of current vaccines against it, the State should initiate clinical observation studies on the disease profile of those who are infected with the virus variant so that evidence-based changes can be made in the vaccine policy.
B.1.617.2, an extremely transmissible virus Variant of Concern, has emerged as the dominant strain across the State.
Last week, the U.K., where B.1.617.2 has been spreading far and wide, announced that it was accelerating the vaccination of those above 50 years following new evidence that one dose of Astra Zeneca (Covishield in India) vaccine had only 33% effectiveness against the variant.