All of us read the AIIMS study which said covaxin is 50 percent effective during peak Covid second wave in India. While the study which is first in real life scenario -raised questions about the efficacy of the vaccine.

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/covaxin-was-50-effective-against-covid-during-indias-second-wave-study/articleshow/87882264.cms

We ask few questions to experts and researchers involved with the study who believe otherwise. They insist efficacy is good enough in peak pandemic and many studies in other countries have shown similar results .

What is the aim of the study and what are the conclusions ? Do we need to be concerned as majority
of the population in India has for
covaxin?

“The results demonstrated vaccine effectiveness of 50% against symptomatic RT-PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 infection 2 weeks after complete vaccination, which further increased to 57% at 6 weeks post complete vaccination. In fact, the effectiveness reached 75% towards the end of the study when cases and test positivity rates were decreasing,” said said Prof Naveet Wig, Head of Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi.


Prof Wig who is the lead author of the study further said It is important not to get fixated with varying effectiveness figures obtained from different studies under different conditions. “Addressing vaccine hesitancy by availability of a safe and effective vaccine and achieving good pace and coverage are crucial to control the pandemic with universal vaccination. The available data clearly shows effectiveness and safety of Covaxin and the roll out should be continued and accelerated. At the same time, we need to adhere to non-pharmacological measures like social distancing and use of face masks” he said.