Single dose of Covid-19 vaccines have shown 92% efficacy in protecting against death, whereas with two doses it increased to 98%, the Centre said citing a study conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh among Punjab police personnel.

Underlying the efficacy of vaccines delivered in India, the government said among those without vaccination, around three per 1,000 people died due to Covid-19, whereas the incidence of death was 0.25 per 1,000 among those who received just one dose and 0.05 per 1,000 in those who got both doses.

“This shows that the chance of serious disease of deaths are almost eliminated by vaccination. There should be no doubt that vaccines used in the country are safe and effective,” NITI Aayog member-health Dr V K Paul said. He added the government is making efforts to ramp up vaccination and reach the remotest areas to ensure maximum coverage.

The government, however, emphasized on the need to maintain Covid-appropriate behavior._Times of India