Covid vaccine rollout: Over 70 top J&K doctors volunteer for first shot to clear misconceptions, instill confidence

SRINAGAR:  Over 70 top doctors and head of departments (HODs) have volunteered to take the first shot of the Covid vaccine in a bid to clear apprehensions and instill confidence among the health workers in Jammu and Kashmir.

More than 40 HODs at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and 30 HODs and doctors at Government Medical College, Jammu have volunteered to take the first COVID shot on Saturday.

“Around 40 HODs specialists at SKIMS and 30 HODs and specialists at GMC Jammu have volunteered to take the vaccine shots on Saturday,” Dr. Qazi Haroon, State Immunization Officer, told The Kashmir Monitor.

This follows some misconceptions and apprehensions about the vaccines. Since the vaccination is voluntary, there are some apprehensions among some health workers about its side effects. Sources said rumors are adding fuel to the fire with some people withdrawing their names from the list at the last moment.

“I have not come across anyone withdrawing name. There are no apprehensions. Let us focus on the positive aspect,” said Dr. Haroon.

Official figures reveal that 1,46,500 doses of the `Covishield’ vaccine have been airlifted to Jammu and Kashmir. Of which 79,000 are for the Kashmir division and 67,500 are for the Jammu division.

“The first phase will be completed in around 15 days keeping in view the weather. It will start on Saturday and for 15 days we will complete the immunization of 1.7 lakh health workers in Jammu and Kashmir. Of whom 60000 are in Kashmir,” he said.

Forty immunization centers have been set up across 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Each center will inoculate 100 persons on Saturday.  Each person will be administered two doses of vaccines within a month.  

“First of all, we will cover the health workers. It will be followed by frontline workers including those from the revenue department,” he said.

Earlier, divisional commissioner Kashmir PK Pole told The Kashmir Monitor that all those to be inoculated in the first phase will be closely monitored for any reaction or side effects if any.

“Every person will be closely monitored after being administered the vaccine. Those, who will be vaccinated on January 16, will get the second dose on February 16. There is no room for delay. It has to be taken in one month.  The data will be entered into the website to keep track of the things,” said Pole.