Covid-19: Maharashtra has given one vaccination shot to 85% of those above 45 years

MUMBAI: More than 85% people above 45 years have received at least one shot of vaccine against Covid-19 in Maharashtra. Almost 39% of the state’s eligible population for vaccination (9.1 crore) comes from this age category.
According to recent data shared by the state health department, almost 2.9 crore people out of 3.5 crore in this age group have taken at least one shot of the vaccine. Across age groups, more than 84% people have taken at least one shot in the state. Vaccination in the age group above 45 years has made a dent in Covid hospitalisations and deaths and could continue to do so even in the face of a new variant, said experts.

“More than 80% of Covid-19 deaths have been seen in people above 45 years. With comorbidities, they have been the most vulnerable,” said Dr Avinash Supe, who heads the city’s Covid death audit committee. But as vaccinations started for the general population in March and April, a gradual decline in deaths was noted, said Supe.
Analysis of recent fatalities has shown that deaths are common in people who are unvaccinated or those who didn’t develop a good response to vaccination, an intensivist from BYL Nair Hospital said. “We are recording deaths once every two to three days and they are seldom among healthy vaccinated individuals,” said the doctor. “Omicron may have immune escape properties, but vaccines are still expected to prevent hospitalisation and death,” he said.
The outcome of a third wave, if it comes, could depend a lot on the vaccine coverage of vulnerable populations. Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer, said out of 40 Omicron cases, almost all adults are fully vaccinated barring two. “One of the reasons why we haven’t seen severity could be because they are all vaccinated,” he said, adding that some have even taken the booster shot. Moreover, the Omicron cohort includes people between 40-60 years. In Mumbai, civic authorities said nearly 20 lakh people between 45 and 59 years and 11 lakh beyond 60 years have taken a single shot. Over 100% single dose coverage has been achieved in these age groups, a civic official said.
A total of 12.7 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the state, of which 7.9 crore are first doses and 4.8 crore are second doses. From the 18-44 age group, nearly 77% have taken one shot. The state has fully immunised around 52% of its adult population.