Fortis Healthcare Study finds that 92% fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed only mild illness
Fortis Healthcare Study finds that 92% fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed only mild illness on acquiring COVID-19 infection post vaccination
- Despite the virulent second COVID wave, only 1% of fully vaccinated healthcare workers amongst those who acquired infection post-vaccination, required ICU care / ventilator support
17thJune 2021: Leading hospital chain, Fortis Healthcare today released findings of a study to understand the ro le of vaccines and severity of COVID-19 infection post-vaccination. The evidence-based study highlights that 9 2% of the fully vaccinated healthcare workers amongst those who acquired infection post-vaccination developed only mild COVID-19 infection, largely recovering under home care, despite a surge in serious infections during the second wave of the pandemic.
The study further found that, amongst those who turned COVID-19 +ve post-vaccination, just 1% of fully vaccinated healthcare workers developed severe illness requiring ICU care/ ventilator support. The study assessed around 16000 healthcare workers who had been administered both 1st and 2nd doses of vaccine between January 2021 and Ma y 2021. This included the peak period of the second wave, wherein India was recording 3.5 to 4 lakhs cases each day and HCWs were working 24×7, spearheading the recovery of seriously infected patients.
The overall findings of the study emphasize that the vaccines availa ble in India for COVID-19 are effective and do offer pro tection against SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Key findings of the Fortis study:
- >92% HCWs (16000) who received both 1st and 2nd dose of 2-dose vaccine (fully vaccinated) did not face severe outcomes: ICU care/
- After receiving both the doses, only 6% staff got
- Figure 1 shows, amongst those who got infected after getting fully vaccinated, 92% were mildly infected cases while 7% developed moderate illness requiring oxygen support and only 1% developed severe illness requiring ICU care/ ventilation.
| Ongoing studies suggest another, important, benefit of getting vaccinated. In addition to the direct effects of reducing risk of infection and reducing severity, vaccines may be associated with reduced likelihood of household transmission as well, thereby preventing the spread of infection on to others.
A new study2 by Public Health England (PHE) has shown that one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccine) reduces household transmission by up to 50%. 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-dose-of- covid-19-vaccine-can-cut-household-transmission-by-up- to-half |
| 1%
7% Mild illness Moderate illness Severe illness |
| 92% |
(Figure 1: Proportion of mild, moderate, and severe illness amongst fully vaccinated HCWs acquiring infection)
Commenting on the findings of the study, Dr Bishnu Panigrahi, Group Head – Medical Strategy & Operations For tis Healthcare Ltd, said, “The study clearly brings out important findings that the vaccines available in India for COVID-19 do provide protection against the virus even in healthcare workers who are at most risk and vulnerable to get infected by the virus. While India has sound vaccine manufacturing capacity at its disposal, what is really needed is a comprehen sive and multi-pronged mass education strategy to achieve last mile delivery. We need to use our research and study fin dings in varied ways and smart data analytics to bust rumours, myths and hesitancy among the population on getting inoculated. Evidences are the best means to spread awareness and help authentic information reach each and every citi zen of India. We have to stop the virus in its transit corridors, ramp up all efforts to protect both life and livelihood”.
Vaccine efficacy is generally reported as relative risk reduction (RRR). Studies have already demonstrated that being vaccinated against COVID-19 significantly reduces risk of being infected. For example, in clinical trials, a 95% vaccine efficacy would indicate vaccinated individuals will be 95% less likely to get COVID-19. If 1% of the unvaccinated population develops COVID-19, getting the vaccine would reduce chances of getting COVID-19 by 95%, resulting in a 0.05% infection rate.
About Fortis Healthcare Limited
“Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organisations in the country with 36 healthcare facilities (inc luding projects under development), 4000 operational beds and over 400 diagnostics centres (including JVs). For tis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and Nation al Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,0 00 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wi de range of ancillary services.”
