Dead man vaccinated now, says SMS

Dead man vaccinated now, says SMS

Deepak.Karthik@timesgroup.com

Trichy:01.11.2021

The family of a deceased man in Trichy was surprised when they received acknowledgement for the second dose of vaccination on his mobile phone which was being used by his family. Suspecting misuse of the man’s credentials for vaccination, the family urged the district administration and health department to inquire into the incident. 

The deceased, Selvaraj Govindhachettiyar, hailing from Beschi street in Woraiyur, had taken his first dose at MGMGH on April 28. Two weeks later, he contracted Covid-19 and succumbed to the infection on May 15. However, on Saturday the family received the acknowledgement message of his second dose Covishield vaccination on his mobile phone. According to the vaccination certificate, Selvaraj, five months after his death, has taken the second dose at a mini-clinic in Trichy during the seventh mass vaccination camp. “We wonder whether his personal information was misused further for the vaccination programme,” N S Karthi, son-in-law of Selvaraj, told TOI. He called for accountability in the vaccination drive.

Deputy director of health services A Subramani said a clerical mistake in updating the mobile number on CoWin platform had caused the gaffe and there was no intention to show high vaccination numbers. “We are using volunteers and animators to upload personal details of beneficiaries. As they are handling thousands of people at the mass vaccination camps, the error happened unknowingly and we will rectify it,” the official said. A section of medical officers involved in vaccination duty blamed the mess on the targets set for them at the mass drives on consecutive weeks, which caused fatigue and stress.