Mumbai data confirms double-dose efficacy

A woman receives a shot of the vaccine during a special drive at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion on Monday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Breakthrough cases of Covid-19 among those vaccinated stood at just 5.4 per cent as on September 24, data from the civic body has revealed. Around 3.51 per cent of the Covid-positive cases registered since February 1 this year were vaccinated with at least one dose and 1.98 per cent had received both doses of the vaccine.

In order to boost the number of fully vaccinated citizens, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will hold an exclusive afternoon session on Tuesday for those who are due for their second shot. The civic body has urged such citizens to come forward and get the jab to increase immunity.

Of the 4,20,639 Covid cases registered in the city from February 1 this year to September 24; 23,090 patients had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of these patients, 14,767 were administered the first dose and 8,323 had taken both doses.

Earlier, the BMC had claimed that more than 9,000 fully vaccinated citizens had contracted the infection, but civic officials said the data was rehashed as it had several duplicate cases and many cases were from outside city limits.

A woman gets her shot at Nair hospital last week. BMC has administered 79,25,708 beneficiaries with the first dose of vaccine and 38,02,508 with both doses by Saturday. Pic/Ashish Raje

When compared to the number of total vaccinations done in the city, the infection rate is much lower. BMC administered 79,25,708 beneficiaries with the first dose till Saturday, bringing the infection rate to 0.18 per cent, and the number of fully vaccinated citizens by Saturday was 38,02,508, which means the infection rate is 0.21 per cent.

A civic official on the condition of anonymity said, "The number of beneficiaries that have got their first dose is over 79 lakh; considering that, the citizens affected is minimal. But owing to the vaccine, the seriousness of the virus is diluted to a large extent and the infection is not serious or is very mild in these cases."

Two vax sessions today

Meanwhile, the BMC will hold two separate vaccination sessions across all government and civic-run centres on Tuesday. The first session from 9am to 2pm will be for administering vaccine to teachers and students aged above 18 years whereas the second session from 3pm to 8pm will be reserved for only those due for second dose.

During the first session, teachers and students can take the first dose or the second dose if the prescribed period after the first dose is complete. Those seeking to get the second dose will have to bring the certificate of the first dose of the vaccine.

5.4
Overall percentage of breakthrough infections

3.51
Percentage of total patients since Feb found with one dose

1.98
Percentage of total patients since Feb found with 2 doses