Professionals, students travelling abroad yet to get vax certificates

Professionals, students travelling abroad yet to get vax certificates

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 15.06.2021

The Karnataka government’s decision to open up vaccination on priority for those seeking employment abroad rekindled hope in 38-year-old Milton (name changed), a seafarer waiting for months to report to work on a Gulf-based shipping vessel.

He rushed to a special camp at Bengaluru City University and took the second dose. That, however, has not ended his wait because he is yet to get his vaccination certificate. “If I get the certificate, I can fly out. I’m not sure when that happens.”

There are 157 other foreignbound working professionals and students whose travel plans are stuck over vaccination certificates. Covishield was administered to both categories, including those seeking a second dose after a 28-day gap.

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None who took 2nd dose got vaccine certificate

The government had organized a drive at the university campus to enable vaccination for students and employees heading abroad. While BBMP officials claimed the impasse is because CoWin does not recognize second doses given before the now-specified 84-day gap, a senior bureaucrat said the issue was rectified on Sunday to accommodate this category of vaccine recipients.

Under the new guidelines, the gap between two doses of Covishield is 84 days. But the state allowed students and professionals to avail the second dose within 28 days due to concerns that their travel plans could be in peril if the nations they are visiting insist on vaccination certificates.

The vaccination drive for 1,470 students and professionals was conducted between June 1 and 11. While all those who took their first dose got their certificates, none of the 158 persons who received their second dose has got it.

“The second certificate will be issued by registering on CoWin with a different phone number (belonging to the person or any family member) and not the one used earlier for the registration. We’ve collected and verified their data to ensure there are no errors. We will share details with BBMP,” said Lingaraju Gandhi, vice-chancellor, Bengaluru City University.

BBMP officials admitted to the issue. “The CoWin glitch was explained to the beneficiaries before the drive. Some became panicky, have been repeatedly asking about the certificate. The issue is being sorted out,” said an officer.

“Registering with a different mobile number could show a different date of vaccination than from the actual. The certificate may show the day of second registration as that of vaccination,” said a source. A BBMP officer said a similar problem could be faced by those who have taken the first dose in the drive.