Docs tell elderly to take jabs as they are most vulnerable

Docs tell elderly to take jabs as they are most vulnerable

55% Of Covid Deaths In Raj Among 60+

Intishab.Ali@timesgroup.com

Jaipur: 03.03.2021 

Vaccination drive for people above 60 years of age has come as a welcome relief as they are most vulnerable when it comes to fatalities from the virus. Acording to the health department, more than 1,500 people above the age of 60 years have died of Covid in the last one year, which comprises 55% of the total fatalities in the state.

Doctors treating elderly Covid patients have advised them to get the jab without delay.

Doctors, who have been treating Covid patients since the first case was reported, say the elderly population require more intensive care than the younger population.

“People aged 60 and above have low immunity to fight against most of the diseases. They also have associated comorbid condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, asthma and cancer and their immunity is compromised. There are statistics which show that over 55% Covid deaths in state are above 60 years. They are more prone to develop severe complication due to Covid, which is why the government also wants to give them protection on priority basis,” said Dr Sudhir Bhandari, head of the expert Covid-19 treatment group constituted by the state government and principal and controller, SMS Medical College.

Among elderly people, course of disease tends to be more severe resulting in higher mortality.

“It is the same disease, but when infected young population, it remains mild to moderate in majority of the cases. The associated comorbid conditions in elderly people is the major reason of complications due to Covid, which is why elderly population should get vaccinated against Covid to have protection,” said Dr Virendra Singh, member of state advisory committee on Covid.

Elderly people, for the past one year, have spent a restricted life following Covid protocol to ward off risk of getting infection. They have not travelled to other cities and other countries to stay safe. The doctors say that the time has come for the elderly to get the jab.