While antibody surveys are useful to gauge the extent of virus spread across the population, experts cautioned that these numbers cannot be taken to fit a particular area. While it’s true that antibodies mean protection, their longevity, especially among those who were infected, wanes.
Within each district, 10 clusters were randomly selected and within each cluster 40 samples were collected from individuals more than 7 years of age.
Total samples processed and reported include 3586 samples from general population with mean age of 35.33 ±18 years. Further, 2077 samples have been processed and reported from among the police personals, HCW and antenatal women.
During the time of study in July 2021, a total of 20.3% participants had received 2 doses of vaccination and majority (79.25) had received none. However, since then the vaccination has scaled up and the sero positivity due to vaccination would have gone up also.
Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor and HOD Community Medicine Government College Srinagar and principal investigator of the study said that every eligible person should go for vaccination against COVID as over these months there has been a significant drop in number of cases who have been admitted in hospitals with moderate to severe diseases. Scaling up vaccination would reduce chances of any possible severe third wave.
The IgM antibody which is usually produced by recent infection with SARS Cov-2 (can rarely also be produced in recent vaccination), they said. This antibody was positive in about 20.75 % of participants.
In overall context, the government has underlined the need for the people to remain careful and avoid any sort of gathering, whether social, religious or political. The government as well as people shall not become complacent. Same mistake again can prove detrimental.
In anticipation of the 3rd Wave, the Lieutenant Governor has rightly underlined the need to remain prepared to deal with any future health challenges. By vaccinating the targeted population at the earliest, the administration will be able to save precious lives from any future threat.
