Delhi healthcare workers are taking into contemplation the experience of their colleagues and scouring newspapers and the internet for information on possible side-effects before going for the Covid-19 vaccination.
At the same time, many choose not tell family members about taking the vaccination as they can be ‘worried’.
Some viewpoints of the healthcare workers:
A 24-year-old nursing staff, Jay Mahawer, at Moolchand Medcity in Southeast Delhi, said he read about the vaccine and its side effects on the Internet.
He said, “There have been reports of reaction (adverse events) following vaccination. So, there was a little bit of anxiety.”
He made up his mind for taking the vaccine only after he read about the AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria taking the shot.
“I experienced dizziness for a few minutes after taking the vaccine. My family was already scared. So, I have not told them yet. I am feeling fine now,” he said.
One of his colleague, Ritik Bhati, who is 24 said he felt ‘completely okay’ after taking the jab.
He said, “There is nothing to fear. I haven’t experienced any side effects yet… I had also talked to a few people who were vaccinated on Saturday about their experiences.”
Bhati did not inform his parents about taking the vaccine as he though they may get worried. “They are a bit scared, my siblings are aware of it though,” he said.
It is also reported that, Anuja Mehta, a 23-year-old staff nurse at Medeor hospital in Qutub Institutional area, also spoke to her colleagues who took the vaccine before taking her first jab.
“My parents were worried. They asked me to wait for some time, but I was feeling good about the vaccine as those who have already taken it had shared their experiences with us,” she said.
On Saturday, the first day of the world’s largest vaccination campaign against the pandemic, about 4,319 healthcare workers that is 53.3 per cent of those registered – got the vaccine shots.
Know what the experts believe:
According to experts, the major reasons why many people did not participate in the vaccination drive was because most of them adopted a ‘wait and watch’ approach for the initial few days and due lack of communication and glitches in CoWin app.
B L Sherwal, the medical director of Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty hospital, said, “There is a little bit of apprehension (about the vaccine). Also, people in India adopt a ‘wait and watch’ approach in important matters, be it purchasing a new car or an appliance… People consider the experiences of others before taking a call,”
He said in his hospital, 45 people got the vaccine shots on Saturday.
“There is a need for creating more awareness and building confidence among people. On Saturday no major vaccine-related side effects were reported, which is going to persuade others to take the shots,” he said.
However, it was also reported, a security guard had developed an allergic reaction after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and was kept under observation of doctors at the hospital and later was discharged.
According to officials, cases of minor reactions like rashes, swelling at the injection spot or fever were reported in the city on the first day in about a total of 51 people. It will be considered to be normal if 53 per cent people turned out for the vaccination.
“Since people are voluntarily taking the jabs, many times they skip it if there is some important work,” he said.
“It took a lot of effort for 20 years to eradicate polio. There was resistance.
He further added, in the case of vaccination campaign the same efforts will be required.
Technical glitches in CoWin app could be a major reason why people couldn’t take the vaccine shot on the launch day, said Suresh Kumar, the medical director of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan hospital.
However, on Saturday only 32 people were given the vaccine shots at LNJP hospital.
