Inoculation hastens recovery of those who suffer infection

In testimony that the Covid-19 vaccine does work, many who contracted the virus after receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, said they recovered much faster than those who did not take the shot.

KS Kolhar, director, branding and marketing, KLE Technological University, said he contracted Covid three weeks after taking the first dose of the vaccine. “I tested positive in the last week of April, but I recovered within 3-4 days and have been healthy since. My pulse rate is steady. Doctors treating me said the vaccine is the reason for my fast recovery. Many who did not take the jab and suffered infection are still in hospital.” A 55-year-old teacher working in a high school in Dharwad, who also has diabetes, said he too took the first jab, but still tested positive.

“I recovered within 4-5 days. Some of my friends with comorbidities who had not taken the shot took more than 14 days to recover. Now, I am looking forward to getting the second dose which is due next week,” he said.

It was a similar story for Dr SY Mulki Patil, Covid-19 coordinator and deputy medical superintendent, KIMS. “I’m constantly exposed to the virus and tested positive two months after taking the dose. But vaccination did wonders as I recovered quickly without complications. If you are vaccinated, you will not get a severe form of the disease,” he said.

Many others too said their oxygen level remained stable and their recovery was smooth. Dr GS Sattur, senior physician and member, Covid expert committee, claimed inoculation is the only way forward to thwart Covid-19 effectively. “Optimum antibodies develop about two weeks after the second dose. Both vaccines are equally effective in combating the SARS-CoV 2 virus,” Dr Sattur said.

He said vaccines protect people in three ways: If one contracts the disease, it is a mild attack; those who take the jab do not need ICU admission and, three, the possibility of death is very rare. “Disease that occurs after vaccination is called ‘Breakthrough Covid’. Fortunately, both vaccines are effective against the double mutant (Indian variant) of the virus. We need to vaccinate more people as quickly as possible to combat the spread,” Dr Sattur said.

Other health experts concurred, saying vaccines are the biggest hope to reduce infections and fatalities.