This story is from January 25, 2022

88% of Punjab Covid deaths in last 7 months among the unvaccinated

More than three-fourths of the Covid patients in Punjab who succumbed to the virus in the last seven months were unvaccinated, indicating the importance of vaccination in fighting the virus. Punjab, since the beginning of the drive that started in January last year, was among the states which struggled with low coverage
88% of Punjab Covid deaths in last 7 months among the unvaccinated
Image used for representational purpose only
CHANDIGARH: More than three-fourths of the Covid patients in Punjab who succumbed to the virus in the last seven months were unvaccinated, indicating the importance of vaccination in fighting the virus. Punjab, since the beginning of the drive that started in January last year, was among the states which struggled with low coverage
The trend is in sync with the views of health experts who have been advocating for vaccines as the safest method of gaining immunity to the virus and calling upon people to take shots.
Different studies have underlined the fact that one vaccine dose reduces the risk of death by over 80% and both by about 95%.
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A review of 1,740 deaths - between June 2021 to January 22, 2022 - by the Punjab health department reveals that 1,532 (88%) who died were unvaccinated while 151 (8.7%) patients had only taken one of the two mandatory shots. As many as 57 (3.3%) who died were fully vaccinated. Of the deaths among unvaccinated individuals, the majority were of seniors with underlying health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease and lung ailments, and who were late in seeking treatment.
Punjab Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Rajesh Bhaksar says the data makes it evident that vaccination along with Covid-appropriate behaviour keeps one safe from the virus. He urged people who are yet to receive their first dose to get vaccinated and those due for second dose to complete their vaccination. Even after one year, the state is unable to cover the entire eligible population with one dose. It has so far partially vaccinated about 89% and provided both mandatory doses to 56% of its eligible population. In contrast, neighbours Haryana, Chandigarh and
Himachal Pradesh are among the top performing states/UTs with 100% coverage of the first dose. They are moving towards full vaccination.
Of Punjab's 3,10,40,000 doses (1,89,00,154 first and 1,21,39,846 second), 1,66,91,529 went to men, 1,43,44,264 to women, and 4,207 to other beneficiaries. Of the total doses, 2,76,15,918 are of Covishield vaccine.
Steep rise in cases, fatalities
Since the onset of the third wave of the coronavirus infection, Punjab has recorded a rise both deaths count and daily cases. The deaths reported in over three weeks of January were over 674% higher than deaths reported in December. Between January 1 and 23, Punjab recorded 333 deaths-290 more than the 43 recorded in December-of which, the majority were from Patiala, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Mohali.
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About the Author
Vinod Kumar

Vinod Kumar is with The Times of India’s Punjab Bureau at Chandigarh. He covers news concerning Punjab politics, Health, Education, Employment and Environment.

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