Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha
Infectious Diseases
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I heard that the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine taken 12 to 16 weeks apart gives an efficacy of 90%. In contrast, four to six weeks offers only 79%. But one remains exposed to the virus for three months with 40 to 50% higher risk than with 4 to 6% as only one dose gives protection of 30 to 40%. Can one take the second dose four to six weeks after and then an effective vaccine that will be available as a booster four to six months later for the new mutant widespread? Kindly advise me if this is medically acceptable; given the swarm of cases, no beds, no oxygen, no ventilators, it is hazardous to postpone protection by another three months.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I will go by what is approved.
The gap between the first and second dose is four weeks for most vaccines except Sputnik, where it is 21 days.
Studies have concluded that increasing the gap to six to eight weeks between the first and second dose increases antibody production and thereby gives more efficacy. But it is best to stick to the approval right now.
As for the third dose or third booster, it is theoretical, but data is emerging on its requirements because the efficacy of the first dose stays for up to six months.
Usually, for mutants, another batch of vaccines with the mutant strain(s) or genes of mutant strain(s) (in this case, S-protein) must be present (in inactivated form) to provide fuller protection. But current vaccines do not have a mutant strain or modified S-protein genes. Studies have stated that a particular vaccine is protective even in mutant strains (for example, South African variant).
I hope this clarifies.
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Infectious Diseases
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