T medical staff still shy away from Covid jab

T medical staff still shy away from Covid jab

Sribala.Vadlapatla@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:26.10.2021

An internal analysis of the health department has revealed how medical personnel in large numbers are refusing to take Covid-19 vaccine saying there is no need for it when there isn’t any spike in the cases.

With many districts still lagging in achieving the 100 per cent vaccination target, authorities are clearly worried.

In Medchal-Malkakgiri, a large portion of which falls within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the number of those who have not received even a single dose remains high.

Concerns over the vaccine’s effectiveness have also been cited as a reason for high hesitancy among the frontline workers.

According to sources, nursing professionals and paramedics in districts like Medchal and Nalgonda are unwilling to take the jab. "It is quite strange that many individuals believe taking precautions to protect themselves from Covid-19 is preferable to taking a vaccine," an official said.

Vaccine must in festive season: Expert

Social media is flooded with footage of people fleeing from health workers attempting to administer vaccines to them, particularly in rural areas.

“Despite massive awareness campaigns, it is unfortunate that many people, including health staff, are harbouring these myths,” a top official said.

Experts said it was incorrect to assume that vaccine should be taken when only if there is an increase in the number of cases.

Many health and science research organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have long said that taking two doses of the vaccine help in decreasing the severity of infection and reducing the death rate.

"After the completion of two doses of vaccine, it will take at least 40 days before antibodies are produced. It would mean that vaccine doses are crucial,”Dr Kiran Madala, an Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) certified researcher told TOI.

Madala said, “Since the festive season will last through January, it is best to get vaccinated.”

Many health and science research organizations, including World Health Organization (WHO), have said taking two doses helps in decreasing the severity of infection