Mumbai: Breakthrough Covid-19 infections highest in senior citizens

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has achieved the target of vaccinating Mumbaikars aged over 18 years with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. But there still are breakthrough infections - when a person catches the infection despite being vaccinated - especially among senior citizens. Breakthrough infections were at 4.28 per cent among them, which is the highest in any age group. However, doctors said the severity of the infections is less and so people should go for a booster dose.

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As per BMC data, 47,669 (4.28 per cent) citizens from 1,11,3044 aged 60 years and above got breakthrough infections. Dr Hemalata Arora, senior consultant, Internal Medicine at the Nanavati Max Hospital said, "Senior citizens' immunity is a bit on the low side. Immunity generated from the vaccine might be slightly slower, that's why senior citizens need boosters also."

At least 21,31,848 citizens in the 45 years to 59 years age group have taken both doses of vaccines, out of whom 48,697 (2.28 per cent) had a breakthrough infection. In the 18 years to 44 years age group in which 55,48,315 citizens took both jabs, 1,00,016 (1.80 per cent) of them had breakthrough infections.

Dr Vasant Nagvekar, co-director, Infectious Diseases at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital said, "Breakthrough infections are more in the middle-aged due to more exposure at work, etc. compared to children." Additional Dean of SevenHills Hospital Dr Smita Chavan said, "People must take a booster dose recommended by the government." As per civic records, 2,94,450 children between 15 years to 17 years took both doses and out of them, 684 (0.23 percent) had breakthrough infections. Out of 73,414 children 12 years to 14 years, 139 (0.19 per cent) have been infected so far.

The overall breakthrough infection rate in the city is 2.15 per cent. As per BMC data, 91,61,071 citizens have taken both doses, and of them 1,97,205 caught the infection. Dr Rahul Pandit, director of Critical Care Medicine & ICU, Fortis Hospital said, "Currently the government has recommended boosters so we must follow that. COVID appropriate behaviour is also important." The BMC's Deputy Executive Health Officer Dr Daksha Shah said, "The severity of the disease in people who took vaccines has decreased significantly. There is no need to panic, breakthrough infections are only around 2 per cent.