The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has presented research on breakthrough infections which was discovered in India's first genomic sequence investigation during the country's second COVID wave. This article presents the research findings of partly or fully vaccinated, yet reinfected individuals.

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Breakthrough infections

During the first research on breakthrough infections conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi in April-May 2021, no vaccinated persons died after becoming re-infected with COVID-19. This was discovered in India's first genomic sequence investigation of breakthrough infections during the country's second COVID epidemic. If a person has caught coronavirus after being completely vaccinated, this is known as a breakthrough infection.

What the research suggests

According to the research, the variants of concern in the current group of vaccination breakthrough infections evaluated using genome sequencing, closely overlapping and matching the coronavirus cases in Delhi, are B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.7, which account for the bulk of cases.

While a handful of vaccine-related illnesses have been recorded in the past, they have always been accompanied by mild symptoms. Neither disease deterioration (stable biomarkers) nor mortality were recorded in the present cohort during the duration of the illness, confirming the prior findings.

36 of the 63 patients with breakthrough infections received two doses of the coronavirus vaccination, whereas 27 got at least one dose. Covishield was given to ten individuals, whereas Covaxin was given to 53.

The viral load at the time of diagnosis was high in all of the patients, regardless of vaccination status or vaccine type received, and the vaccinated group's initial course of disease with high-grade non-remitting fever lasted five to seven days, similar to the clinical presentation in unvaccinated patients.

Concerning SARS-CoV-2 lineages

The study revealed that two lineages could be assigned to a total of 36 (57.1 per cent) samples, 19 (52.8 per cent) samples from patients who finished both doses, and 17 (47.2 per cent) samples from patients who finished just one treatment. Three lineages of the B.1.617 variation associated with India have been identified: B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, and B.1.617.3.

In 23 samples, the B.1.617.2 variation was identified as the main lineage (63.9 per cent). Twelve of them were among the completely vaccinated, while eleven were among the partly vaccinated. The B.1.617.1 and B.1.1.7 lineages were identified in four (11.1%) and one (2.8%) samples, respectively.

Observational research conducted last month at the capital's Indraprastha Apollo hospital revealed that COVID-19 vaccinations are similarly successful, with vaccination breakthrough happening in a tiny number of vaccinated individuals. To better understand the efficiency of the two vaccines widely employed in India's COVID immunisation programme, the ICMR began researching their impact in lowering hospitalisation and mortality in real-world situations this week.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

The author is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.