UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF VACCINATION ON COVID-19 IN INDIA USING TIME INTERRUPTED SPATIAL PANEL DATA MODELS

Abstract

COVID-19 is the biggest threat to the life of humankind around the globe. Vaccination became an important protective system against COVID-19 infection. The geographical aspect is an important factor in infection spreading. This study explores the effect of the vaccination on COVID-19 in India using the estimate of the spatial effects. Since the distribution of vaccination started in the middle of study period, time-interrupted spatial panel models were used. SDM model was selected as the best one. The spatial effect coefficients are statistically significant in SDM models (rho = 0.4057;p < 0.01 , rho = 0.3132;p < 0.01) and the spillover effect of second dose vaccination rate is statistically significant on both confirmed rate and deceased rate. The vaccination has a significant negative impact on deceased rate. There is a clear evidence for the requirement of second dose vaccination