A study by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has found that individuals who have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses face lower risks of suffering from respiratory problems, hospitalization and death.
The study, conducted among Covid-19 patients between May and June, advised people to receive both doses of the vaccine and follow health regulations in order to curb the pandemic -- which has so far killed nearly 21,000 people across Bangladesh.
The study also observed the activity of the virus in their systems, apart from finding antibodies in vaccinated patients, reports bdnews24.com.
It was conducted among 1,334 patients, who were above the age of 30 and selected from the national list by random sampling.
Of them, 592 was not vaccinated while 742 others were inoculated. The 306 who received both doses of the vaccine had contracted Covid-19 at least 14 days after getting the jab.
Citing the IEDCR study, bdnews24.com reported that 11% of patients who did not receive any dose of the vaccine experienced respiratory complications. The rate was down to 4% among the fully vaccinated.
The study said the rate of respiratory complications among unvaccinated Covid-19 patients with underlying health problems was 10% higher than the fully vaccinated ones.
The report said the hospitalization rate for fully vaccinated patients was 7%, compared to 23% for the unvaccinated. In addition, 32% of unvaccinated people with underlying health issues was hospitalized after they tested Covid-19 positive. The rate among the vaccinated was 10%.
Those suffering from multiple health problems were 16% more likely to be hospitalized than the fully vaccinated ones, according to the study.
The report also found that fewer vaccinated patients needed intensive care. They also suffered fewer deaths.
Of the unvaccinated participants of the study, 19, or 3%, needed to be admitted to the ICU. Of the fully vaccinated, only three, less than 1%, were admitted to the ICU.
Nineteen unvaccinated participants, or 3%, had died, while only one of those who received the vaccine passed away.
Citing the findings, IEDCR urged people to maintain health safety rules and take vaccines to reduce health risks.
