An AIIMS study reported in Lancet has created a buzz. People have started to doubt the vaccine efficacy. Should we be concerned?

“This is the first vaccine effectiveness study after approval of Covaxin which is an essential component of any vaccine roll-out program. It was carried out in early days of vaccine initiation amongst high-risk population (hospital employees) in the background of a huge surge dominated by a new highly infectious variant of the virus (delta variant). Vaccine effectiveness demonstrated under such extreme conditions is reassuring of its effectiveness for large scale use. As a corollary, it was like protection given by an umbrella (Covaxin) in a downpour; the same umbrella will give much better protection during a drizzle (in community under common conditions)”, said Dr Manish Soneja, Additional Professor of Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi.


Are there any similar studies conducted in the world for other covid vaccines which have shown similar results?

“There are many reports and publications across different countries which have shown lower effectiveness of different vaccines against delta variant across vaccine platforms. The Pfizer vaccine was reported to have 41% effectiveness for preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in Israel. Moderna was reported to have 56% effectiveness against infection in US. Similar results have been reported for Astra Zeneca vaccine in UK”, said Dr Neeraj Nischal, Additional Professor of Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi.