First dose of Covid vaccine is 96.6% effective in preventing death: Govt

India has vaccinated 58% of its adult population with the first dose of Covid vaccine, while around 18% have been fully vaccinated with both doses

A single dose of Covid vaccine is 96.6 per cent effective in preventing death and two Covid shots are 97.5 per cent effective, the health ministry said on Thursday. 

“The vaccines are disease modifying in that they prevent serious disease and death. They are not disease preventing,” said Balram Bhargava, director general, Indian Council of Medical Research.

The data analysed is for the period between April and August and does not distinguish between the different covid vaccines currently being administered in the country, said Bhargava.

This information, along with more data on breakthrough infections, is expected to be made available