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| Injecting confidence on COVID-19 vaccination | | |
Vinod C Dixit
India started the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive on March 1, 2021, for people with co-morbidities and those above 60 years of age. More than 20 million people in India have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine in what is the world’s biggest inoculation drive.
According to the World Health Organisation, “Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever or pain or redness at the injection site. Tiredness, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, joint pain after getting vaccinated are common, and will subside within a day or two. India is a vaccine powerhouse as it makes 60% of the world’s vaccines and is home to half a dozen major manufacturers. India has started administering two vaccines against the novel coronavirus. Covaxin and Covishield, developed by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India, respectively, were rolled out on January 16, 2021 by PM Narendra Modi. Swift and widespread vaccination could help restart an economy severely affected by lockdown and restrictions.
Our PM Narendra Modi, 70 years old, got his vaccine shot on 1 March. India has registered more than 10.5m coronavirus cases, the second highest in the world, and 151,000 deaths. PM Modi has rightly said that “We are launching the world’s biggest vaccination drive and it shows the world our capability and he further implored citizens to keep their guard up and not to believe any “rumours about the safety of the vaccines”.
Getting vaccinated is a safer way to help build protection against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus yet, experts have said that the relatively rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine does not mean safety measures were compromised. It is also reported that even after the vaccination, one cannot lower their guard and start roaming around freely till at least 70% of the population gets immunized.
The government aims to use up to 500 million doses to cover 250 million “priority people” by the end of July. India has about 150 days to administer two doses and meet its target. While government hospitals are offering the vaccines for free, private hospitals have been allowed to charge a maximum of Rs 250 per dose.
Everyone one knows that there is a vaccination going on in the country but the people are now aware about how to get it. Central government should ask the states to encourage and motivate the online registrations and need to create a better framework. A major number of people have concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety, and intend to “wait and see,” before deciding to be vaccinated. It is reported that eminent doctors, along with many other healthcare workers within the government as well as the private sector, have taken the vaccines and returned to work without any side-effects.
Nobody enjoys having a blood test or an injection, but for some people, the thought of a needle puncturing their skin can send shivers down the spine. With a vaccine now available for COVID-19, it’s important that as many people as possible receive this safe and effective vaccine. PM Modi also urged all eligible to take the vaccine as the country began vaccinating people over 60 and those over 45 who have illnesses. Vaccination against COVID-19 will lead to people not transmitting the disease and its eradication in some time. Let us continue taking all the precautions, whether vaccinated or not till 70% of our population is vaccinated. |
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