PANAJI: Although the directorate of health services (DHS) had estimated that a majority of Goa’s population would be fully inoculated against Covid-19 by October-November, vaccine hesitancy — particularly among the elderly — has hindered several from taking their second dose despite having completed the mandatory 84 days since getting the first one.
Mapusa resident Rita D’Souza, who is over 70 years old, is among these. “She is very scared. She had taken the first dose of the vaccine after much persuasion, and is just not willing to get her second shot now,” her daughter Victoria, said.
Malini Naik, a senior citizen who got her first dose during the second half of March, took her second jab, albeit reluctantly, just last week. She said she lost interest in getting inoculated when her husband died of the coronavirus.
After developing a severe reaction to the first shot of the vaccine and being indisposed for a week, Ramesh Salgaonkar, another senior citizen, said he was not sure if he would like to take the second dose despite over 10 weeks having lapsed since he took the first one.
As per the current guidelines of the central government, the gap between the first and the second dose has to be 12-16 weeks.
District immunisation officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said the department hasn’t yet compiled data of people experiencing vaccine hesitancy, although some cases have been noted. He said there would be clarity after more people are immunised.
“We have come to know of such people and when questioned, they say they will take the second dose. But we can’t administer the vaccine to them forcefully,” he said. “So far, we haven’t received any guidelines from the Centre stating that the second dose should not be given to those reporting late. Whoever comes even after 100 days of taking the first jab are immunised. People should take their second dose within the given time frame. Else, if there is a third wave, they will be more susceptible to infection.”
Goa reported over 65,000 cases of Covid-19 in May alone as the second wave of the pandemic touched a new high.
Borkar, however, said a majority of recipients are yet to complete four months since they took their first dose and that the immunisation drive has been progressing at a satisfactory pace. “About 90% of the target population has been vaccinated with the first dose. Several people were infected in May, and consequently, their immunisation has been deferred,” he said.
With regards to inoculation of foreigners, the state is yet to receive guidelines from the Centre, he said.
(Some names have been changed to protect identity)
