Booster dose key as new COVID variant raises concerns: Medical expert

People urged not to panic but to stick to basics

28 November 2021 12:01 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While elucidating ways to keep the newly detected COVID-19 variant, Omicron at bay, Dr Chandima Jeewandara said receiving the booster shot was of utmost importance at this moment and invited people to stick to basic health practices.

Dr Jeewandara who is the Director of the Department of Immunology & Molecular Medicine at Jayewardenepura University said they were keeping a close eye on the situation and had also increased genetic sequencing.

“The Omicron, which is the fifth COVID variant detected in the world has been upgraded as a variant of concern due to its higher transmissibility,” he said.

“Some other reasons for it to be called as a variant of concern are, it may show different symptom profiles, it may demonstrate differences in severity of the disease, it may also evade diagnostic testing,” he explained.

Talking about the efficacy of the COVID vaccine to the new variant, Dr Jeewandara said though there is no concrete and proven data, it had been predicted that the variant may escape vaccine-induced immunity and natural immunity.

“There are also cases where people have been infected with the new variant despite vaccination while people infected with Delta have also got a reinfection with the new variant,” he added.

However, Dr Jeewandara urged people not to panic but to strictly adhere to basic health practices and most importantly, to receive the booster dose whenever people get the opportunity as it improves the antibody levels of the body.

“Since the antibody levels of recipients of Sinopharm vaccine are dropping, such individuals must take a booster dose after a lapse of three months,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 17

Sanantha Sunday, 28 November 2021 12:20 PM

No one has said that. Not even FDC. How can can Dr. Jeevabdara can say that? What evidence he has? Has he done any research before this varient was detected?

Kikazaru Sunday, 28 November 2021 12:41 PM

Uncle, you once claimed the Sinopharm vaccine has an efficacy of 95%. It was a lie. The booster is needed as the Sinopharm vaccine is less effective as compared to Pfizer and Modena vaccines. Was was the %?

PinkPanter Sunday, 28 November 2021 12:45 PM

I am a bit puzzled. You once announced that you have detected a new variant in your lab (may I call it a hole). Why was that discovery not in the world news? Was it a just a fib?

Karalasingam Sivalingam Sunday, 28 November 2021 12:49 PM

British medical experts opined the possibility Omicron variant escape vaccine.

Roisin Sunday, 28 November 2021 01:07 PM

Experts are investigating while we speak. Don't discourage people to take a booster by comments like this. People are confused already.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Sunday, 28 November 2021 01:06 PM

Omicron variant escape vaccine opined British medical expert. Sri Lankan specialists' possess British degrees. I am puzzled.

Selvakumar Sunday, 28 November 2021 01:38 PM

Booster does will be increase the antibody of the level increase..!!!

Antonita Sunday, 28 November 2021 04:14 PM

The 2 Cases identified in the UK with the Omricon variant have been double jabbed! You decide whether the existing vaccines work!!!!

Roisin Sunday, 28 November 2021 05:13 PM

You still can get infected when you are vaccinated, but you have far less deadly symptoms and don't have be admitted in the overwhelmed ICU's.

Nuwan Sunday, 28 November 2021 05:42 PM

Where is the third dose uncle? Is the GMOA stealing it for friends and family before rolling out to above 20 year citizens?

Era Sunday, 28 November 2021 05:59 PM

Booster can give us protection but not completely, it will be very less effective.... moreover this variant has mild symptoms... no one knows which which countries it already reached

TJ Sunday, 28 November 2021 08:27 PM

I am now in Canada. When I went to take my booster, the authorities refused to vaccinate me as six months has not elapsed since my second dose was taken. They said that booster will be fully effective when it is given six months after the second dose. Why are you all hurrying up? Have you imported short expiry?

Antonita Sunday, 28 November 2021 08:35 PM

Can someone produce data on how many double/triple and quadruple jabbed people have died in hospitals with Covid please. Please don’t forget to add the jab related deaths due to adverse events on top of it. Can we do a comparison on deaths prior to the introduction of vaccines and post vaccines too? That would be a great way to analyse the vaccine efficacy as getting infected is normal anyway even though you may be 4 times jabbed! Imagine being jabbed just to travel and then being told , you must quarantine!

Banda Sunday, 28 November 2021 08:39 PM

Its looks like Dr. Jeevandara is dancing to Keheliya Rabukwella's drum beat.

Arnold Monday, 29 November 2021 06:20 AM

Surely they are making fat commissions out of this thing.

Terrence Monday, 29 November 2021 07:32 AM

More Boru talk and disappointing as you had arranged the booster to be given last Friday but we were let down

Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 29 November 2021 09:47 AM

Tourism is important to us. Efficacy of vaccines last for a shorter period. The theory of permitting fully vaccinated has become redundant. Are we going to insist only booster vaccinated can enter Sri Lanka?All passengers are carriers of the virus. They will spread to our population unintentionally. Recind all previous conditions and subject all incoming passengers to PCR tests, negative result passengers could enter Sri Lanka.

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Booster dose key as new COVID variant raises concerns: Medical expert

People urged not to panic but to stick to basics

Comments - 17

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