Covid vaccination off to slow start in Punjab

The medical and paramedical staff of government hospitals in Punjab appear reluctant to get vaccinated against coronavirus till the situation regarding the side effects becomes clear.

Out of about 20,000 doctors, 70,000 nurses and 150,000 paramedics working in 253 government hospitals across the province, only 1,500 have received the first dose of the vaccine. According to sources, about 10 per cent of them complained of dizziness for two days after receiving the vaccine, while 2% reported having a mild fever.

However, in general, the heads of medical institutions have failed to persuade the staff to come forward for the vaccination against coronavirus. Also, no one has accurate data on the number of staff members vaccinated on a daily basis.

Amid the rapid spread and mounting toll from the novel coronavirus across the world, the first phase of vaccination is underway on the direction of the government, in which doctors, nurses and paramedics are being vaccinated.

Read more: 2nd stage of vaccination against Covid begins

However, in the 253 government medical facilities across Punjab, including district and tehsil headquarters hospitals as well as basic health units, only a few of the people associated with the treatment services have been vaccinated. According to sources, the main reason for the slow pace of vaccination is the fear of harmful effects of the vaccine as research on the matter is still under way.

Punjab Allied Health Alliance Chairman Munir Malik told The Express Tribune that so far the number of vaccinated staff members is very low and one of the main reasons is the failure of the top officials of medical institutions to build trust among the employees in this regard. In response to a question, Munir claimed that many of the health professionals administered the vaccine in government hospitals had complained of dizziness and lighter symptoms, while some had reported mild fever.

However, Young Doctors Association Punjab President Dr Salman Haseeb said that so far no reaction had come to light on the basis of which the corona vaccination should be rejected. However, more clear results will start coming after some time.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said it was too early to say anything about harmful effects of coronavirus vaccination. The first phase is under way and its effects will be known by next month.

The minister said the people of all age groups would not be vaccinated during the phase. The vaccine will be given to people of a certain age.

Dr Rashid said the anti-typhoid injection campaign was also a link in the same chain, which had been found to be successful in boosting the immunity level of children and adolescents. However, more information be available when the results of the coronavirus vaccination and its effects come out.

The sources said the authorities were facing problems in dispelling the fears of side effects as well as lack of realisation regarding the need for the vaccination. They said many nurses and paramedics raised questions about what harm they would face if they were not vaccinated.

Local officials of the health department in various areas also expressed ignorance regarding the progress in the vaccination campaign.

The sources said the vaccine being given in the first phase has not been recommended for children below 15 years of age and citizens aged more than 60. Similarly, pregnant women, people with skin allergies and kidney, heart, lung and stomach diseases cannot be vaccinated. They said anyone who wanted to be vaccinated against coronavirus should get an advice from a physician.

It has also been claimed that not every healthy person between the ages of 16 and 60 needs to be vaccinated against coronavirus. If a healthy person is vaccinated, they have a 5% risk of a reaction, which can include cramps, headaches, fever and itching.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2021.