AstraZeneca produces antibodies in 93% recipients after 2nd dose: Study

Within two weeks after receiving the second dose of Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, 93% of the recipients developed antibodies, according to a recent study.

Department of Microbiology at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) conducted the study on 308 teachers, doctors and staff of the hospital to see the antibody response after administering the vaccine.

The results of the study were revealed at a press conference at the lecture hall of DMCH's new building on Sunday.

According to the study, antibodies have been produced among 93% of the recipients after being vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine.

The research work was conducted for five months under the leadership of Professor Dr SM Samsuzzaman, head of the microbiology department. He presented the results of the study.

Samples were collected four weeks after the first dose of the vaccine, he said. At this time, antibodies were found in 41% of the vaccine recipients.

"The samples were collected and tested again two weeks after the 2nd dose vaccine. At that time, antibodies were found in the bodies of 93% of the recipients."

He said all the participants in the study were over 30 years old while 80% were over 50 years old.

"The study was carried out to find whether antibodies are produced after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and how many antibodies were produced after the second dose," said Professor Samsuzzaman.

Asked how long the antibody would last in the body after it is produced, he said, "It can last up to six months. However, scientists still do not have any information about the specific time. There is a need for more research on this."

One can be infected with coronavirus after vaccination. However, even if infected, the situation will not be severe and mild symptoms may appear, said DMCH Principal Professor Dr Md Titu Miah.

Asked whether the result of the study was an accurate picture for the whole of society, Professor Titu Miah said it was not as the research was carried out on a selected group of people belonging to a particular class.

"However, the sample size of 308 people is not a small number. From this, we can get an idea. Large-scale research is needed," he added.

Director of the hospital Brigadier General Nazmul Haque and Vice President Dr Md Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury, among others, were present at the press briefing.

Bangladesh started its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme on 7 February by administering Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The country received seven million Covishield doses through its contract.

Besides, India gave Bangladesh 3.3 million vaccines as a gift.

On 25 April, the government suspended administering the first dose of Covishield, just a day after India said no more vaccine doses would be shipped to Bangladesh anytime soon.