ICMR: 2 doses give 97.5% protection against death

New Delhi, September 9

Two Covid vaccine doses offer near-total protection against death and even one dose is more than 96 per cent effective in averting fatality, the first government analysis of vaccine efficacy among the inoculated population has shown.

High positivity rate in two Himachal Pradesh districts

• 35 districts in the country have more than 10% positivity rate
• Lahaul-Spiti (13.74%) and Mandi in HP are among districts of concern

The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) vaccine effectiveness study conducted between April 18 and August 15 this year found that vaccines were preventing serious disease and death. It also revealed a high rate of mortality among the non-vaccinated.

“We synergised the data from several sources, including CoWIN, and found vaccine effectiveness in preventing mortality with one dose to be 96.6 per cent and with two doses 97.5 per cent,” ICMR chief Balram Bhargava said.

“Reinfections and breakthrough infections are under analysis. We first looked at deaths, which is what most people are interested in and vaccines are definitively averting serious disease and death,” the ICMR DG said.

As of today, India has administered over 72 crore doses with 58 per cent people above 18 years covered with one dose while the two-dose coverage is a little over 16 per cent. Government experts today urged pregnant women and all the leftouts to get vaccinated.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reminded people that the second wave was not over and they had to exercise more caution with the festive season round the corner.

Although the weekly positivity rate nationally has been below 3 per cent for the tenth week, 35 districts still have more than 10 per cent positivity and 30 districts have positivity between 5 and 10 per cent.

Lahaul-Spiti and Mandi in Himachal are among the districts of concern with Lahaul’s positivity at a high of 13.74 per cent.

The ICMR chief said, “Mass gatherings have to be discouraged and low observance of key festivals this year will provide us an opportunity to celebrate big next year. Responsible rather than revenge travel is the key.” — TNS