There has been no death registered among fully vaccinated people, a new study on the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Uganda has shown.

A group of scientists at Makerere University who studied the impact of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines on treatment outcomes in Uganda have since recommended that ramping up the exercise to ensure full vaccination will scale up the countries efforts in fighting the deadly virus.

Uganda predominantly started vaccinating its population against COVID-19 with AstraZeneca, in March this year. The jab, administered in two doses, is given 12 weeks apart.

According to the findings, COVID-19 vaccine reduced deaths in the country.

Data from 1,462 patients who were admitted both at Mulago hospital and the Namboole COVID-19 treatment facility indicated that vaccinated patients were 55% more protected from dying during hospitalization.

"There was no death among fully vaccinated patients. Mortality was lower among partially vaccinated patients compared to those not vaccinated at all. Vaccination had no statistically significant impact on duration of hospitalization and symptom resolution," the study showed.

However, research from Makerere also discovered that fully vaccinated patients fell sick to the extent of requiring care, signifying need for vaccinated people to continue observing standard operating procedures for infection prevention.

This information was contained in a research brief issued this September.

The project team includes; Dr Bruce Kirenga, Prof Pauline Byakika, Dr Misaki Wayengera, Ltd Col Dr Henry Kyobe, Dr Rosemary Byanyima, Dr Ivan Kisule, Dr Winters Muttamba and Dr Ivan Kimuli.

Others are; Dr Loryndah Namakula, Dr Eliya Mwesigwa, Dr. Hellen Aanyu, Dr Alex Kayongo, Rogers Sekibira, Simon Mugambe and Dr Levicatus Mugenyi.