Vaccine effectiveness of 99.3% seen in individuals fully inoculated against COVID: Mansukh Mandaviya

"The latest data analysed and uploaded till January 2, 2022 depicts vaccine effectiveness of 99.3 per cent in fully vaccinated individuals against COVID-19,” Mandaviya said in a written reply.

The data is analysed and presented as per the reports submitted by respective state governments.

Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country presently.

Whole genome sequencing for Omicron variant is done for all RTPCR positive samples from international travellers arriving since November 28, 2021.

Further, for in-country sequencing RT-PCR positive samples having CT-value of less than 25 are referred from sentinel sites in various states regularly, Mandaviya said.

The Government of India is supporting states in their endeavour to manage COVID-19 since the beginning of pandemic.

Given the emergence of mutated variants with variable impact on transmissibility, virulence and effectiveness of vaccines, likelihood of resurgence of COVID-19 trajectory in the country is monitored by various expert committees under Indian Council of Medical Research, Directorate General of Health Services and other relevant Ministries/Departments, he said.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues to keep a close watch over COVID-19 situation across the country and globally, the minister said.

The Ministry of Health vide letter dated June 28, 2021 has circulated to all states and Union Territories guiding principles for imposition of restrictions or allowing relaxation in context of coronavirus based on COVID-19 testing confirmation rates and hospital bed occupancy rates.

This has been reiterated by Ministry of Home Affairs under Disaster Management Act, 2005 vide order dated June 29, 2021, Mandaviya said.