Push first dose of vaccine, panel tells govt.

Even a single dose can bring down disease transmission, deaths

The expert committee on COVID-19 in the State has recommended to the government that rather than prioritise the second dose of vaccine, the State’s efforts should be to cover as many people as possible with the first dose of vaccine, as even a single dose of vaccine has been proven to offer adequate protection to impact disease transmission and deaths. At the national-level and in the State too, the governments have been giving priority to completing the vaccination of those who received the first dose. The idea has been that as many vulnerable people can be fully protected and prevented from dying. However, recent studies have come out with evidence that the maximum benefit of vaccination in the community is derived from the first dose and that with adequate coverage, it can bring down disease transmission and serious disease.