Interspecies transmission of coronaviruses and immunization: an Indian perspective

The milder form of infection and higher rates of recovery witnessed among COVID-19 patients in India is indicative of the potential intervention of other "unconventional" biological mechanisms. The recently established similarity between beta-coronavirus strains in animals and humans led us to hypothesize that previous contact with infected dogs or cattle could shield humans from the circulating SARS-CoV-2 virus. We further believe that our hypothesis, if confirmed by further studies, could be used as a potential vaccine strategy.