Vaccinated people face fewer risks with Covid-19: IEDCR

A recent study conducted by Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research has concluded that vaccinated people in Bangladesh faced lower risks of respiratory problems, hospitalisation and fatality after Covid infection.

Meanwhile, another study by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) found that 98 per cent of those who received AstraZeneca jabs have grown antibodies.

Both studies come at a time when the country is facing a new surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the country recorded 246 deaths and 15,989 new cases in 24 hours ending 08:00am on Monday.

With the latest, Bangladesh’s total death toll is now at 21,162 while the number of positive cases is 12, 80,317.

Vaccination lowers hospitalisation

Following a study conducted on 1,334 positive cases – aged above 30 years – between May and June this year, the IEDCR concluded that only 4 per cent of vaccine recipients faced difficulties in breathing when infected with Covid-19, compared to 11 per cent when it came to unvaccinated people.

The hospitalisation rate for the fully vaccinated was at 7 per cent, compared to 23 per cent for the unvaccinated. Apart from that, 32 per cent of unvaccinated people with underlying health issues were hospitalised after being infected.

The study also found that unvaccinated people with multiple health problems were 16 per cent more likely to get hospitalised with Covid-19 compared to fully vaccinated people.

Of those surveyed, 306 were fully vaccinated while the rest 592 did not receive even a single vaccine dose.

At the same time, 19 people (3 per cent) from unvaccinated required ICU support, while only 3 vaccinated people (1 per cent) required same.

The study also concluded that vaccination decreases the chances of death from Covid-19 to 0.03 per cent from 3 per cent.

98pc AstraZeneca recipients develop antibody

A BSMMU research unveiled that 98 per cent of those who received full dose of AstraZeneca developed antibodies against Covid-19.

The study, titled “Haematological Parameters and Antibody Tire after Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2”, was conducted on a group of 209 people who had been vaccinated between April and July.

The study also showed that those who were infected with Covid-19 before being vaccinated has developed more antibodies against the deadly virus.

However, the study also found that 42 per cent of those who were surveyed had experienced side-effects after being administered the vaccine.

While unveiling the findings of the study, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor and lead of the research Professor Md Sharfuddin Ahmed said, “More research is needed to learn about the formation of antibodies after vaccination.”

Bangladesh to co-produce vaccine

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh would jointly produce the Covid-19 vaccines with China.

He confirmed the matter while briefing reporters at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka after meeting Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Monday.

A draft agreement in this regard was sent to the health ministry, the minister said.

“After the signing of the agreement, it will take two months to go into production,” he added.

Bangladesh government has a plan to bring 80 per cent of the country’s population under vaccine coverage by the first quarter of next year which would need 27 crore vaccines for inoculating some 13 crore and 60 lakh people.

According to latest data from DGHS, Bangladesh’s current positivity rate was found to be 29.91 per cent after testing 53,462 samples in 697 laboratories across the country.