Physicians from a hospital in India have urged people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and underscored the importance of continuing the observance of health protocols as to avoid getting infected even after inoculation.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, India recently released the results of an observational study carried out on its healthcare workers to evaluate the frequency of “Break Through Infections” (BTI) among its personnel.

BTI refers to people who are fully vaccinated who still get infected with COVID-19.

According to the hospital’s statement, the findings of the study showed only few of the cases required hospitalization, with none needing admission to the critical care units and no deaths.

“India has witnessed the tsunami of the second wave of COVID-19 recently, amidst the vaccination drive that is in progress,” Dr. Anupam Sibal, medical director of Apollo Hospitals Group said in the statement.

“There have been reports of infections after the vaccination, which are also known as the ‘Break Through Infections,’” he added.

According to Sibal, these infections may occur after partial and full vaccination in some individuals.

He cited studies indicating that vaccination “does not provide 100 percent immunity even after full immunization.”

“However, our analysis demonstrates that even in cases where this immunity is not successful, vaccinations greatly reduce the number of serious COVID infections and rate of hospitalization,” he said.

“The results of the study show that BTI occurs only in a small percentage and these are primarily minor infections that do not lead to severe disease. Hence, it makes the case for vaccination stronger,” he added.

The study was participated in by 3,235 healthcare workers (HCWs). Out of the total number, 122 HCWs got infected during the study period. Of these, 65 were fully vaccinated, and 20 were partially vaccinated.

The statement said the findings of the study are under consideration for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Dr. Raju Vaishya, one of the key authors of the study, explained that there are several factors that may be responsible for the BTI which include factors related to the vaccine and human behavior.

“COVID vaccines take time to develop adequate immunity in the human body with current studies indicating immunity takes two weeks to properly develop after the second vaccine dose,” Vaishya said.

“Hence, if due precautions and preventive measures are not taken by the vaccinated person during this time, the BTI may occur,” he added.

Vaishya said many people develop a sense of security after vaccination, even partial or full, which lead them to ignore the minimum public health standards after getting the vaccine.

"This increases the risk of re-infections and BTI,” Vaishya said. “Even after vaccination, it is essential to continue to take precautions to avoid any chance of exposure to the novel coronavirus.”