KOLKATA: Arrested for allegedly stealing vaccines from a sub-health centre to hold inoculation drives against payment, Mithun Mandal is now suspected to have vaccinated more than 100 people. According to health department sources, investigators reportedly recovered a diary where he kept records of vaccinated people to get them updated on Co-Win at the Moshut sub-primary health centre where he worked as a vaccine coordinator.
Mondal may have stolen several vials and carried them in an ice box, and demanded anything between Rs 300 and Rs 1,500 for a jab, the probe revealed. But there was a time lag of more than two days as he needed the opportunity to access the authorised computer terminal to update the recipients’ details. When the recipients did not get the confirmatory message and certificate within two days, they informed the police, the probe revealed.
Initial investigation also revealed Mondal followed protocol and the vaccines, in all probability, were genuine. “Though we have not got the results of the tests on the seized vials, we got corroboration from various witnesses to ascertain that the vaccines were genuine. However, Mondal was misguiding us in ascertaining the number of recipients,” said Baruipur SP Vaibav Tiwari.
CMOH Somnath Mukherjee said, “We will hold a check-up camp to assess the recipients’ health. But the vaccines were genuine and the vials were in an ice box, so it is unlikely they will have adverse effects.”
TOI got in touch with a woman who received a jab from Mondal. “I had all the symptoms of a post-vaccinated person. Initially, I had a fever, but now I am fine. I have also got a certificate,” she said.
