Single shot of COVID vaccine enough for recovered patients: Studies

If you are an adult who has already battled coronavirus infection, there is a possibility that a single shot of the COVID-19 vaccine would be sufficient for you. Two recent studies in India have suggested that a single dose of vaccine may suffice for adults who have recovered from COVID. The authors of the studies have also said that their findings were imperative as they could help promote the “judicious” use of vaccines in India and help cover a larger population. 

Study 1 – 

The first study was conducted by Hyderabad-based AIG Hospitals. For the study, 260 healthcare workers, who got vaccinated between 16 January and 5 February, were divided into 2 groups- those who had been infected with the virus and those who hadn’t.

28 days after their first dose of Covishield, the participants were administered the second dose. Following this, blood samples that were collected at the beginning and at the end of the study were tested for antibodies and memory cells. 

It was found that the COVID group had developed 1,000 units of antibodies, which was 10 times more than the other group. The Memory T-cell responses were also significantly higher in the individuals who had been infected with the coronavirus.

“It was concluded that higher Memory T and B-cell responses, in addition to higher antibody response with a single dose of the vaccine administered three to six months after recovery, may be considered at par with two doses of vaccine for individuals already infected with COVID- 19,” said the hospital.

Study 2 – 

Researchers at Banaras Hindu University conducted a study on 20 people, 10 of who had recovered from the infection. Both the groups were given the first dose of Covishield and a month later, their blood samples were tested for antibodies. 

The study concluded that COVID-recovered patients developed antibodies faster.

“We studied the effect of vaccines on COVID recovered and non-infected people. Antibodies in recovered people developed in the first week. While only 90% of non-infected people developed antibodies after 3-4 weeks, recovered people developed antibodies after the first dose,” Prof. Gyaneshwer Chaubey, Zoology Department, BHU, was quoted as saying by ANI.