Experts said that the new variant of coronavirus infection that is circulating in the UK is not likely to impact India’s vaccine strategy. They stated that the vaccine shots being developed are predicted to be effective against the new strain and also re-infections. In case they happen even after the shots then it would be milder.

The vaccine candidates under regulatory assessment in India have included shots with several other components besides spike protein which is related to this particular strain and therefore it would support the vaccines sustain their efficacy. Even though the new variant has set out an alarm, theepidemiologists in India has maintained that the mutations are common in viruses and people should continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing.

Top epidemiologist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, a former head-scientist at ICMR said that there is no reason to worry now as every virus changes its genetic structure. It is an RNA virus and is expected to change often. Also, this virus is a better virus as compared to other viruses such as flu or HIV. It also has a low rate of mutation.

As per the hypotheses that presented by the UK consortium, uncommon genetic divergence of lineage B.1.1.7 might have resulted, maybe in part, from virus progression with a chronically-infected individual. It is observed that patients with cancer stay COVID positive for long.

The UK report said that though such infections are very rare and transmission even rarer, they are not unlikely to cause a large number of new infections. Experts say that the mutation might be present in India and tests are needed to check for it.

Dr Suneela Garg, who is professor of excellence and a president of Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, said that the mutated virus is 1.7 times more infective. It can affect even those who have already been exposed to COVID but the symptoms are mild. Dr Garg further said that the mutation might not affect the effectiveness of vaccines that are under development.

Source: ET Healthworld