Only 2 to 4 in 10,000 Indians had breakthrough infection after Covid vaccination

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 21

Ahead of further expansion of the COVID inoculation plan to cover all adults from May 1, data show negligible infections after the first and the second doses of India made COVAXIN and Covishield.

ICMR chief Balram Bhargava today said only 2 to 4 in 10,000 breakthrough infections (Covid infections post inoculation) have been seen in India so far, which was negligible.

“The narrative on breakthrough infections is distant from reality. The incidence of breakthrough infection is very low. Even if Covid infection occurs after the first and the second dose of the vaccine, it does not cause severe disease. The risk of infection is there which is why masks are important but the risk of severe infection reduces considerably,” VK Paul, Member Health NITI Aayog said.

ICMR data show that out of the 93,56,436 people who received first doses of COVAXIN, 4,208 (0.04 pc) had breakthrough infection. The proportion was the same for those who received second doses of COVAXIN (out of 17,37,178 who got the second dose, 695 got Covid).

Likewise, 10,03,02,745 people received Covishield first dose and of these 17,145 (0.02 pc) got breakthrough infection.

Out of 1,57,32,754 who got the second dose of Covishield, 5,014 reported breakthrough infection.