AstraZeneca Shots: 93pc people developed antibodies
Ninety-three percent of those who received both doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have developed antibodies against Covid-19, according to a study done at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Antibody tests were done on 308 fully vaccinated doctors, nurses and other DMCH employees.
The findings were presented at an event at the DMCH yesterday.
Microbiologists took blood samples of the individuals following each of the two doses of the vaccine.
Of the blood samples taken four weeks after the subjects received their first shot, 41 percent had the antibodies. But of the blood samples taken two weeks after the second dose, 93 percent had the antibodies.
However, these findings should not be generalised, the speakers warned.
"We do not know how long the antibodies will last inside the body," said Prof SM Samsuzzaman, head of microbiology at the college, who led the research done over five months.
The participants were all aged over 30, and 80 percent of them were over 50, he said.
College Principal Prof Titu Mia said, "Anyone can get infected with the coronavirus even after they get inoculated. However, it reduces the chances of developing severe illness.
"But, the number of samples is not small. The study at least gives us an idea. Research on a larger scale is needed."
On February 7, Bangladesh launched a mass inoculation campaign with the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. But the campaign stumbled amid depleting stocks of the doses, thanks to non-compliance of the international supply commitments.
Comments