Do not delay second dose to elderly: experts

U.K. data say first dose of AstraZeneca (Covishield) gives only 31% protection against B.1.617.2, the dominant virus strain in Kerala

In the light of new evidence from Public Health England (PHE) that a single dose of AstraZeneca vaccine offers notably lower protection against the virus variant B.1.617.2, Kerala should think about vaccinating its vulnerable population above 60 years with two doses of the vaccine as soon as possible to bring down mortality due to COVID-19, some public health experts feel. This is especially important as B.1.617.2 variant has emerged as the dominant virus strain in Kerala and has been responsible for the huge increase in cases and mortality during the second wave of COVID-19. Last Thursday, PHE announced its data on vaccine efficacy to the U.K. government. As per it, one dose of AstraZeneca vaccine provided only 31% protection and two doses raised this to 81% protection against symptomatic disease caused by B.1.617.2.