We're protected from Covid by hybrid immunity, claim experts

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Virologists insist that India’s hybrid immunity will protect it from the BF7 Omicron sub-variant while affirming vigilance by state authorities.

They reason that the BA.5.2.1.7 subvariant, otherwise known as the BF7 sub-variant behaved differently in different regions even within China currently, adding that India was a different kettle of fish. Most of India’s population has hybrid immunity, meaning they have suffered at least a single natural infection and a solitary vaccine dose.

Moreover, India paid a heavy price with large-scale infections during the second wave from March to June in 2021. Noted virologist Dr T Jacob John said that the pandemic had concluded in India and it is in an endemic phase. He added that unless there is an entirely new variant (distinct from the original Wuhan, Delta and Omicron variants) that becomes widespread, a fresh wave is unlikely.

“It (hybrid immunity) still holds true. Most likely, we will not have any problems with regard to waves of Covid-19 disease. Minor ups and downs are expected. I doubt we will have any problem,” he said.

“Everybody has had infection immunity. I’d say 75 per cent probably have two doses of vaccine immunity and maybe 20 per cent have booster immunity. So, the issue is our wave of Covid-19 during January and February of 2022 was of the Omicron variant.