The Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi said on Saturday on the basis of an observational study that 97.38 per cent of those vaccinated were protected from the COVID-19 infection and the chances of hospitalisation after the vaccination are 0.06 per cent.

The hospital has released the results of the study to evaluate the frequency of 'Break Through Infection' (infections after the vaccination) of Covid-19. The findings are currently under consideration for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

"Our study demonstrated that 97.38 per cent of those vaccinated were protected from an infection, and hospitalisation rate was only 0.06 per cent. The results of the study show that breakthrough infections occur only in a small percentage and these are primarily minor infections that do not lead to severe disease. There were no ICU admissions or death. Our study makes the case for vaccination stronger," Dr. Anupam Sibal, group medical director of Apollo Hospitals and a senior consultant for paediatric gastroenterology, told news agency ANI.

A total of 3,235 healthcare workers participated in the study, of which 85 got infected during the study period. Out of these, 65 (2.62 per cent) were fully vaccinated, and 20 (2.65 per cent) were partially vaccinated. Females were significantly more affected and the age did not influence the incidence of infection.

The study emphasizes the fact that COVID-19 vaccines are effective with vaccine breakthrough infection occurring only in a small percentage of vaccinated persons. All eligible persons should get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available to them. It is important to continue with COVID safe behaviour even when fully vaccinated such as wearing a mask, sanitizing hands, maintaining appropriate social distance, and avoiding crowds.

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