New Delhi: Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Thursday that a single dose of the Kovid-19 vaccine is 96.6 percent effective in preventing death, while two doses prevent death by 97.5 percent.
Bhargava said that in the second wave of Kovid-19 in April-May, the maximum number of deaths were recorded among unconnected people.
Addressing a press conference on the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Director General of ICMR referred to the data collected between April 18 and August 15 this year and categorically stated that vaccination prevents deaths.
“This vaccine has a protective effect against death in all age groups, whether it is 60 and over, whether it is 45-59 and 18-44 years,” he said.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul also echoed similar sentiments saying that it is clear that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine show complete protection.
Dr Paul, who heads the COVID-19 task force, further said that around 72 crore vaccine doses have been given so far.
“58% above 18 years given a single dose, it should be 100%. No one should be left behind. Those who are left should be given medicine to develop herd immunity,” he said.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, who was present during the media briefing, said that the pace of vaccination and coverage is increasing rapidly.
“The average daily administered dose has increased from 20 lakh in May to 78 lakh in September. This number is expected to climb even higher,” he said.
The Health Secretary informed that more vaccines have been administered in the first seven days of September than in the 30 days of May.
“86 lakh doses have been given in the last 24 hours. We should increase the speed of vaccination before the festivals. The states and the Center should work to vaccinate the vulnerable population,” he said.
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The Health Secretary further said that 43,263 cases including over 32,000 have been reported from Kerala in the last 24 hours.
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