The growing cases of COVID-19, with people who have been fully vaccinated also testing positive, has raised an alarm. MUSBA HASHMI speaks with doctors who talk about the reasons behind it and why it is still the best option
Soon after the reports of doctors getting COVID positive even after receiving both the vaccine shots made headlines, the efficacy of the vaccine came under question. With people wondering why to get vaccinated if one can anyway get infected with Coronavirus, doctors believe it is still the best bet.
“It is not correct to think that getting vaccinated will prevent one from catching the infection. A fully vaccinated person can still be infected but the viral load of such a person will be far less than someone who is not vaccinated or partially vaccinated. The antibodies produced by the vaccine helps in fighting off the virus, which in turn, reduces the chances of that person transmitting the virus to other people,” Dr Deepak Verma, Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad, tells you.
There are reports that not administering the jab at the right spot can be one of the reasons of a person catching the virus, however, Dr Verma dismisses all these facts.
“The vaccines approved for use in India are intramuscular in nature and a vaccinated person getting COVID has got nothing to do with how a vaccine is administered — there is no evidence so far that a wrong way of administering a vaccine can affect its efficacy; however, it can increase pain, swelling and reduce the range of motion in that area,” he says.
Dr Arunesh Kumar, Senior Consultant & Head Respiratory Medicine/Pulmonology, Paras Hospital agrees with Verma and tells you that there is yet no vaccine that guarantees 100 per cent protection against the corona virus.
“Even if you are vaccinated, you must follow the safety rules suggested by doctors. Vaccination is a must to reduce the transmission rate and thus everyone must get it. Even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, we must continue taking all precautions like the use of face cover or masks, hand sanitisation and maintain distancing. These behaviours must be followed both at the session site and in general. Vaccination reduces the severity of disease and reduce the transmissibility of virus,” he explains.
However, the rising concerns may raise doubts in the mind of the people about getting vaccinated. But, experts say this is not the way out.
“One shouldn’t be apprehensive about getting the vaccination done. While it doesn’t provide 100 per cent efficacy, it is still the best bet. Keeping in mind the current situation, it is imperative that we must be on optimum guard. Even after getting the vaccination done, one must follow all the safety precautions that are laid out by the Government. Becoming complacent is one of the major reasons of people catching the infection even after the getting the jab,” Dr Verma tells you.
Dr Satish Kaul, HOD and Director, Internal medicine, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram , says that vaccines are surely safe if doses are taken within prescribed time that too with all required precautions.
“We need to understand that vaccine basically provides protection from the severity of the disease; it saves us from getting chronically sick. It potentially saves us practically from ICU, ventilators and oxygen support, it helps to weaken the mechanism of disease in human body. Hence, vaccine beneficiaries are supposed to continue wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and COVID appropriate behaviour even after getting vaccinated,” he suggests.
Also after taking second dose be extra cautious for at least two weeks, follow all precautionary measures. “Experts believe that one has to not get infected for at least two weeks after getting the second dose in order for the vaccine to be effective. Hence, these two weeks are the most crucial,” Kaul adds.