Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 6: It has been proved that the incidence of coronavirus infection worsening and the people concerned dying from it is minimal in the case of those who have been vaccinated. In Dakshina Kannada district, from January 16 this year till October 2, only 0.5 percent who were vaccinated succumbed to the infection. A total of 99.5% of the people who died from the infection during this period were those who did not get vaccinated.

When the vaccination programme was taken up, initially, a number of rumours were making the rounds. People had dithered from getting vaccinations. Later, the shortage of vaccines had bothered the people. In course of time, the people realised the importance of vaccination and have been getting themselves vaccinated. It has been officially proved that vaccination avoids people from facing the risk of death in most of the cases.

 
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So far, Dakshina Kannada district had witnessed 733 deaths in the first wave of coronavirus. After January 16, when the vaccination programme was launched, 929 died (total deaths 1,662). Only five out of these 929 deaths were vaccinated. Only two who got both the vaccinations succumbed. The other three had got one dose of the vaccine.  Among the two who died even after getting both the doses of the vaccine, one was suffering from critical kidney disease. The other was having heart problems, said district health officer Dr  Kishore Kumar.

The district had witnessed shortage of vaccine in June and July. Those who got the first dose had to struggle to get the second one within the time limit prescribed. In course of time, vaccine supply eased and the programme went on at a brisk pace. Over 21 lac doses have been administered in the district so far. Out of 18 lac in the age group of above 18, 87 percent have got their first dose of vaccination. Forty percent have got both the doses of the vaccine.

In the 18 to 44 age groups in the district, first doses were administered to 71 percent while 30 percent got second dose. In the 45 to 60 age group, 97.5 percent have got the first dose and 56 percent both the doses. Interestingly, all those aged above 60 have got the first dose while 66 percent have got both the doses.

In the first wave of coronavirus, 40.5 percent of health staff in the district got the infection. In the second dose, only 4 to 5 percent were infected. Several doctors and nurses had faced a lot of problems during the first wave but not so during the second wave. The health officer said that this was possible because of vaccinating them first and also due to the immunity power naturally acquired due to the infection.

Vaccination not only reduces spread of the diseases, but also protects people from the infection getting worse and causing death. Compared to the first wave, deaths were more in the second wave, but deaths were minimal among those who were vaccinated. As the vaccination extends protection, those who are infected, get a stronger defence system in the body which kills the virus at the state of infection. Moreover, the infection doesn't spread to others.