90% fully or partially vaccinated citizens in Mumbai have Covid antibodies, sero survey shows

BMC survey says among the unvaccinated citizens, 79.86% have antibodies. Overall, 65% of the subjects of the study had received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine.

BMC medical staff administer Covid-19 vaccines at Nair Hospital in Mumbai | Representational photo: PTI

Mumbai: A substantially higher number of citizens who are partially or fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in Mumbai have antibodies, compared to those who haven’t received a single dose of the vaccine, the latest serological survey conducted by the Mumbai civic body has found.

According to the survey, the results of which were released Friday, 90.26 per cent of the people who had received one or both doses of the Covid vaccine have antibodies. Among unvaccinated citizens, 79.86 per cent have antibodies.

“As the seroprevalence amongst those who are vaccinated is much higher than the unvaccinated counterparts, it is essential to strengthen the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination programme,” the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement.

As of 16 September, 75.79 lakh people in Mumbai had received the first dose of the Covid vaccine and 32.53 lakh people had received both doses.

The BMC’s public health department conducted the serological survey along with the Sion Hospital, with support from the ATE Chandra Foundation and IDFC Institute. The survey, the fifth so far since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, was conducted from 12 August to 8 September.

Overall, 65 per cent of the subjects of the study had received the Covid vaccine. The study tested 8,674 samples across all age groups over 18 years.

A report that the BMC compiled last month showed that only 0.35 per cent of those fully vaccinated against Covid suffered breakthrough infections.

Overall seroprevalence 86%

The sero survey found that overall 86 per cent of Mumbai’s population has Covid antibodies and the difference between antibody levels in the slum population and non-slum population is meagre. The study recorded a seroprevalence of 87 per cent in slums and 86.22 per cent in non-slums.

Earlier serological surveys had shown that the seroprevalence among the non-slum population was rising, and abating in the slum population.

“The overall seropositivity to the extent of 86 per cent is based on qualitative test results and does not indicate protective levels of IgG antibodies. It is therefore recommended to continue to strictly follow the ‘Covid Appropriate Behaviour,’ that is, correct use of mask, frequent hand washing with soap and water as well as sanitiser, and maintain social distancing,” the BMC said in its statement.

(Edited by Amit Upadhyaya)