No normal life yet even for fully vaccinated people: Experts

Nagpur: With more than 3.40 crore people in India fully vaccinated, can they now be allowed to move normally, join work in office and conduct limited family gatherings, parties and club activities? We will have to wait, say experts.
“Global agencies have advised that fully vaccinated people or those recovered from Covid-19 successfully should be allowed to move around to bring normalcy. But, for this to happen in India, a significant percentage of population must get vaccinated,” said infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde.
Though, the number of fully-vaccinated people in India is more than many other countries, it’s just 2.5% of our total population. As far as Maharashtra is concerned, the state is leading in vaccination but only about 1.72% of the population is protected with second dose.
In countries like USA, the administration is allowing free movement, and even removing mask mandate once more than 30% of the total population of certain state gets fully vaccinated. “In India, this percentage should be at least 35%,” said Dr Shinde.
“This is because we are using two vaccines having efficacy up to 80%. In USA, both MRNA vaccines offer over 90% protection. When we get 35% population protected, plus at least 10% recovered from Covid with natural antibodies, we can also think of allowing vaccinated people to move freely,” he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, who is also national secretary of Indian Chest Society, said that the risk of having severe Covid after four weeks of two vaccine doses is almost nil. “Offices should allow vaccinated individuals to resume their work but by adopting Covid appropriate behaviour,” he said.
“I have treated around 76 healthcare workers, many our own staff and doctors. None of them required oxygen after vaccine. It was just 1-2 days of fever, cough and then they recovered. It is due to the trust in vaccination, all doctors are giving services. We are also taking all precautions,” he said.
Paediatrician and an authority on vaccination, Dr Sanjay Marathe, said that Covid appropriate behaviour must continue despite having both doses of vaccine. “You can join office after full vaccination, but mask and physical distancing will be there. This is because, if you get infected, you will have a mild disease and recover. But you can always pass on the disease to others outside vaccinated clusters. Such people can get severe Covid,” he said.
Doctors said that the central government should fast-track approval to other vaccines and allow states to procure them via global tenders. A state that fully vaccinates 35% population should be allowed to start functioning normally, they said.
The Way Forward
USA, Israel allowed free movement only after 30%+ population got fully vaccinated
In India, 2.5% of total population fully vaccinated; 9.8% partially vaccinated (as on May 10)
In Maharashtra, 1.7% population got both doses, 15% partially vaccinated (as on May 10)
Two Indian vaccines have up to 80% efficacy; in USA, efficacy of both vaccines more than 90%
More than 35% population needs to be fully vaccinated to allow free movement
Fast-track approval to new vaccines, mass vaccination can make this happen