During the omicron-driven surge, 92% of Covid-19 deaths were among unvaccinated individuals, as stated by Dr. Balaram Bhargava, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
In 2022, 92% of deaths were among the unvaccinated, according to data from three databases covering a population of over 94 crore. India’s case and death rates were much lower than those of other developed countries, which can be attributed to the availability, production, deployment, and acceptance of vaccines, resulting in widespread vaccine coverage and protection.
Approximately 32,900 Covid-related deaths have been recorded this year, with over 30,000 of them being unvaccinated individuals, according to government figures.
By the end of 2021, over 65% of the adult population, or more than 60 crore people, had received both vaccine doses, while over 84 crore had received at least one dose. This left around 10 crore adults, out of an estimated 94 crore adult population, without vaccination.
A significant portion of the under-18 population was highly affected during the Omicron wave, with infection rates much higher than in previous waves. This age group was entirely unvaccinated at the start of the third wave.
The government’s data demonstrates the significant effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe illness and deaths, emphasizing the importance of booster doses. Currently, only about two crore people have received the third dose as a precaution, mainly because only certain groups are eligible for it.
The Union Health Ministry reported a 96.4% decrease in cases since the peak of the omicron wave in the January 19-25 week, and a 76.6% decrease in deaths since the peak a couple of weeks later.
