“The mutations have not caused any change in the symptoms or in the treatment strategy. Based on current data, vaccines under test (which are pending emergency authorization) should also be effective against the new strain (from the UK), ”he told TOI.
He added that the next six to eight weeks were crucial in India’s battle against the virus, as cases and deaths have been declining.
Guleria said the UK strain received a red flag solely because the mutated virus was more infectious. “However, it does not require a long hospital stay. Nor does it cause more deaths. There have been a lot of mutations in the last 10 months and it’s quite common, “he said, ruling out the impact of mutations in vaccines.
“If necessary, manufacturers can modify vaccines to make them more effective against major changes in the virus. Currently, there does not appear to be a major change in the virus. So, I really don’t think we should see a major change in the vaccine, ”Guleria said.
On the continuation of international flight services, especially to the United Kingdom, Guleria said that if they are resumed, the authorities should guarantee the genetic sequencing of at least 10% of the flyers who test positive after their arrival in India.
Gene sequencing is currently carried out in six or seven laboratories. Emphasizing a combined network of clinical, epidemiological and gene sequencing data, Guleria said: “We are planning to provide more country-specific mutation data to a consortium of laboratories in India as part of an overall strategy of planners. and the health sector “.
More than 50 vaccines are in clinical trials around the world. He said the country would have six to seven vaccines by the middle of next year. With enough data, a long-lasting vaccine could also be developed, he said, adding: “Currently, the vaccine for frontline workers will be free and the costs will be borne by the Union government.”
On the possibility of herd immunity against Covid-19 in the country, the AIIMS director said that there were plans to conduct more serological studies in all states to understand how many people had developed antibodies against the contagion.
.
