Risk of death lower among vaccinated people

However, experts caution against lowering the guard against COVID-19, as breakthrough infections are on the rise

An audit of 280 COVID-19 deaths in Ernakulam district of Kerala has revealed that nearly 98% of deaths had occurred among those who had not been fully vaccinated. They included people who have not received even one dose of vaccine. “The data showed that vaccines are effective in reducing deaths. We have seen a similar pattern in countries like the US and the UK, where fatality rates have come down among vaccinated population,” said Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the scientific committee and former president of the Kochi chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Maintaining that vaccine effectiveness had brought down the number of deaths, Dr. Jayadevan cautioned the public against lowering the guard against COVID-19 with the confidence that they have been vaccinated. “We are witnessing an increase in breakthrough infections in the district. People need to step up vigil despite being vaccinated,” he said.