VACCINE HESITANCY

As Covid-19 vaccination gathers pace in Kashmir, a section of people are sounding cautious not knowing that sixty per cent of vaccines consumed globally are made in India, reports Saima Bhat

- Saima Bhat

On January 16, Dr Ahmad (wishing to identify his second name only) was ready for a hectic day at his hospital, which was selected for vaccination. Most of his colleagues were going to receive the shot.

The syringe was loaded, the camera was ready to freeze the moment and everyone seemed happy. But it was then that Dr Ahmad, who was in-charge on the day, was surprised to see everyone talking in hushed tones at his back. He sensed that the health officials were hesitant about taking the vaccine.

Dr Ahmad took the lead and got himself vaccinated. He thought his decision would boost the morale of his colleagues but still there were only a few takers.

Dr Ahmad had contracted the Coronavirus infection in August. He isolated himself immediately and managed his mild symptoms at home. But a day after getting vaccinated Dr Ahmad developed symptoms like fever, cold, body ache and breathlessness which were severe than the Covid itself.

“I was very much apprehensive that I may need hospitalisation but after a week, I started improving and I am doing good now,” he said.

Even after his recovery, one of his colleagues, Dr Sheena (name changed), who had also contracted the virus last year, spoke about her apprehensions and said that the vaccines are being made available too early and no one knows their effectiveness in the long run.

“We have studied that it takes years to test vaccines but in the case of Coronavirus, it came in the market within a year after the pandemic struck. How can we be sure about its efficacy? I personally feel that it is better to follow norms of social distancing than getting vaccinated at an early-stage,” she said.