Study involves participation of 15 lakh doctors and frontline workers
A study done by the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) has revealed that Covishield, the Indian version of Oxford Astrazeneca, gives 93 per cent protection against Covid-19 and 98 per cent in mortality reduction.
The study is based on cases during the second Covid-19 wave that was driven mainly by the Delta variant.
India’s policy arm’s, NITI Ayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul addressed a press conference on Tuesday and presented findings of the study, which, according to him, was conducted on 15 lakh doctors and frontline workers.
“Protection to the extent of 93 per cent was seen (in people who were administered the Covishield vaccine) and this was during the second wave which was driven by the Delta variant… also 98 per cent mortality reduction was seen,” he said.
He asked to be vigilant after taking the vaccine, as no vaccine gives total guarantee against the disease.
“No vaccine guarantees that infection will not happen but serious disease gets prevented and nearly eliminated. I urge you to please be vigilant, be careful, have faith in our vaccines and continue to be careful in the weeks and months ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, experts called for precaution and adherence to government guidelines, which are based on scientific reports and advisories from expert committees on the pandemic.