'Vaccine antibodies will last at least 8 months' | Economic Times

NAGPUR: AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria on Friday said antibodies developed from Covid vaccine will last for “at least eight months”. Guleria made this announcement on @CovidIndiaSeva, the official Twitter handle of the Union ministry of health and family welfare for Covid-19 response. The ministry has been replying to queries raised by citizens to clear doubts regarding the Covid vaccines on Twitter. Replying to a question by lawyer Ankita Shah on how long the protection offered by the two vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — will sustain in the body, Dr Guleria said a good amount of antibodies will develop about 14 days after the second shot of the vaccine. “It is not clear how long the protection will last, but it is believed to last for at least eight months or may be longer.” Dr Guleria added that after two doses, “you are protected. But protecting others would need you to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour”. He said people above 50 years of age and those between 20 and 50 years but with co-morbidities will start getting the vaccine from March. Reacting to the AIIMS director’s remarks, infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde said, “The statement of Dr Guleria will encourage more healthcare and frontline workers and even common people to take the jab. It is said that antibodies developed after infection last for 3-5 months or more. If antibodies developed after vaccination protect us for eight months or more, it will be a major success of the vaccination programme. Vaccine of swine flu used to work for one year. There are even chances that immunity developed from the vaccine will sustain for one year or more."Two days ago, the ministry had said research was underway to understand the duration of immunity provided by the two vaccines which are being administered in the country. One of the reasons behind the reluctance of many healthcare workers in taking the vaccine is the lack of clarity on duration of antibodies.