OSAKA -- Two doses of vaccine against the novel coronavirus appear to have greatly mitigated the risk of death or serious illness among people in their aged 20s to 50s, according to a survey conducted by the Osaka prefectural government.
The survey looked at the vaccination history of patients infected with the novel coronavirus in Osaka Prefecture between June 1 and Oct. 17. Of people in the age group who were infected with the novel coronavirus, no deaths were reported among the fully-vaccinated, while the death toll for the unvaccinated stood at 62.
Of cases in unvaccinated people aged 60 years and older, 4.6% were found to have died from complications of the virus, and 6.1% became severely ill.
In contrast, over-60s who had received a second dose of vaccine at least 14 days prior saw their mortality rate fall to 1.6% with a 1.9% incidence of severe illness, or about one-third the unvaccinated levels.
Among those in their 40s and 50s who had not been vaccinated, the mortality rate was 0.3% and the rate of serious illness was 2.2%. But none of the fully vaccinated patients in this age group died from the disease, and only 0.1% became severely ill.
The rate of death and serious illness among those in their 20s and 30s who had not been vaccinated was 0.01% and 0.2%, respectively, while no deaths or serious illnesses were reported for twice-vaccinated patients in the age bracket.
According to a prefectural government tally, 67% of Osakans aged 12 and over -- excluding medical personnel -- have received two doses of vaccine, as of Oct. 24.
While 88% of those aged 65 and over have been vaccinated twice, the vaccination rate drops for younger generations -- 71% of those in their 50s, 60% in their 40s, 51% in their 30s, and 47% in their 20s.
The prefectural government is conducting a campaign until the end of November to give away lodging vouchers and gift certificates in a drawing for twice-vaccinated people, targeting people in their 20s and 30s.
After a cameo by a popular music band, the number of followers on an official Twitter account set up to promote the campaign leapt from a few hundred to about 40,000 in one day, according to the prefectural government.
"We'd like to continue to make further efforts so that people will be heed the disease as much as possible," an official said.
The survey also showed that of people testing positive for the virus, 17% of twice-vaccinated people were asymptomatic -- slightly higher than the 11% rate reported in the unvaccinated.
But asymptomatic cases still run a risk of spreading the infection to others unawares.
"Even after receiving two doses of vaccine, it is important to continue to take basic measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, and observing proper ventilation," the official said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
