Around 90% of Mumbai’s vaccinated population has antibodies: Sero survey

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Around 90.26% of the people in Mumbai who received either one or both the doses of Covid-19 vaccines have developed antibodies, which is considerably higher compared to the antibodies among the unvaccinated people. Among the unvaccinated population antibodies were detected in 79.86% people, according to the fifth sero survey conducted by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

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

Higher antibodies among women

The overall seroprevalence was pegged at 86.64%. According to the details shared by the BMC, the percentage of population with antibodies was higher in slums at 87.02%, than in non-slum areas 86.22%. The survey also showed that the seroprevalence among women was higher compared to the men. Among the women 88.29% have developed antibodies compared to 85.07% of men.

The BMC recommended that it was essential to continue taking precautions such as using face masks, maintaining hands-hygiene, and keeping safe distance from each other.

A total of 75.79 lakh people in Mumbai had received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 32.53 lakh have received both doses as on September 16.

How the survey was conducted

This was the fifth serological survey conducted in Mumbai since the first wave of the novel Coronavirus hit the country in March 2020. The survey was conducted between12 August to 8 September. The BMC collected and tested a total of 8674 samples for the survey.

According to various reports, BMC did its survey on a cross-section of the society, including participants above 18 years of age from all 24 wards of the metropolis. The BMC said that participants for the survey were selected by random sampling, from people visiting municipal dispensaries in the slums to those visiting clinics in non-slum areas. Data collection was done through a mobile application. In its statement, the BMC said that its public health department conducted the survey with the assistance of Sion Hospital, and support from the ATE Chandra Foundation and IDFC Institute.