Misquoted: Experts clarify on Lancet study claiming protection offered by Covishield declines after 3 months

"But we are concerned about the T cell immunity or/and cellular immunity which is long lasting by all chances and once you are getting infected with the virus or when you are getting the passive immunity by the Covishield, definitely you will have the effect of that sustaining for a longer time. It will be preventing you and helping you to come out of the severe infection you are getting," the Indian Medical Association President said.

"Unfortunately, this study has a strange methodology, which none of us, including my peers, had ever seen before... So my point is, without discrediting the study authors, methodologies are very important when we come to understanding conclusions. So my message is that one should never blindly jump to conclusions. This study is based on the author's conclusions," he said.

"Always look at the methodology and see the data. And if we don't understand, run it by somebody who knows it before jumping to a conclusion. Unfortunately, the study has been misquoted. And all over the world, there's panic among people who've taken AstraZeneca vaccine," said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Vice Chairman Research Cell Kerala State IMA.

"Even till December 23, no decline has been observed as far as the protection offered by both vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin is concerned. No signal has come from anywhere in India that people are suddenly falling sick after taking these vaccines," Dr Rajeev added.

As India reported 236 Omicron cases as till December 23, the government and medical experts have appealed to people to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. "Specifically, I'll focus on just one thing. Don't hang around people inside a closed room where people are talking, cheering or singing or having festivities. If you want to meet people, meet them outside or in open premises," Dr Rajeev said.

He further added, "We learned in the last two years to use masks. Everybody wears masks. Masks are important. You know why? Because many people who carry the virus do not know they're infected. So if they're wearing a mask, they're reducing the number of viruses in the air. And so, they're protecting other people. So, that is the main purpose of wearing a mask."