‘Technical snag’ administers 2nd dose to many on paper

VACCINATION DRIVE

‘Technical snag’ administers 2nd dose to many on paper

VMC Officials Unaware Of The Reason For Glitch

Sachin.Sharma@timesgroup.com

Vadodara:  09.11.2021

The Vadodara city boasts of having the highest percentage of vaccinated persons who have taken both doses of Covid-19 vaccine. But creating doubts regarding this claim are several cases of persons getting certificates for the second dose even when they have not got it.

Covid-19 vaccination in the city had been a largely smooth affair after the hiccups when the vaccination of all adults had started. Incidents, when vaccination was low as doses were not available, have also gone down. But now, a new row has cropped up over certificates of second vaccination being issued without the dose being given.

Ravi Barot, a resident of Gorwa, got the message and the certificate regarding the second dose last month. “I was busy with work regarding property tax on the day I was shown to have taken the second dose. The certificate was complete with the name of the vaccine, date and the name of the vaccinator,” he said.

Barot is not an exception. Such cases are being reported from across the city.

Nilesh Mohite, who was part of a team that organised a vaccination camp said that many who were vaccinated on the camp held on July 11 got messages. “A few persons told me about this initially. Then I happened to meet a functionary from Sanstha Vasahat where the camp was held. He told me that many people were approaching him with similar issues,” said Mohite.

Congress worker from Tandalja, Wasim Sheikh, too said that there were many such cases in Tandalja. “I have gathered details of such persons who met me too,” he said.

The second dose messages and certificates are believed to be snags much like the initial phase of the drive when persons who did not take vaccines got messages. At that time even those who had died were shown as vaccinated.

Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s medical officer (health) Dr Devesh Patel said that the exact reason was not known, but certificates were being generated on their own in some cases. “We ensure that in such cases, the person takes the dose,” said Patel.