According to government’s June 11 coverage report of Covid-19 vaccination, three individuals got second dose on that day against stipulated time interval of 12-16 weeks after the first dose as the vaccination for the age group 18 to 44 years of age started on May 17 which is less than four weeks ago
TFM Report
As per Manipur government’s June 11 coverage report of Covid-19 vaccination, three individuals in the age group 18 to 44 years were administered the second dose. Many wondered how the three individuals got the second dose in less than four weeks after the first dose as the vaccination for 18 to 44 years of age was started on May 17.
However, the data released on June 12 showed the total number of individuals who had been administered the second dose as “zero” without any clarification or issuing corrected report of June 11. Such a flip-flop in the vaccination data could cast a serious doubt on the reliability of such an important report.
The concerned authority must come clean on the identity of the three individuals who got second dose before the stipulated gap or whether it was just an “error” on data compilation.
Meanwhile, NHM, Manipur, state mission director Dr N Shyamjai Singh has clarified about the “confusing” press release appealing to get the second dose of COVID vaccine regarding the age group 18 to 44 years.
On June 11 Dr Shyamjai had issued a press release as saying “All eligible 18 years and above beneficiaries who have taken 1st Dose COVID-19 vaccine are hereby informed to get vaccinated with 2nd Dose at the earliest at the designated COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVC).
“It is also to be noted that the eligibility for the 2nd Dose COVID-19 vaccine is between 12 to 16 weeks (Covishield) after the 1st Dose. A timely completion of the vaccination schedule is important for conferring full protection to the beneficiaries,” said the release.
On Sunday, the state mission director issued another release:
“All eligible 18 years (in particular Health Care Workers/Front Line Workers) and above beneficiaries who have taken 1st Dose COVID-19 vaccine are hereby informed to get vaccinated with 2nd Dose at the earliest at the designated COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVC).
It is also to be noted that the eligibility for the 2nd Dose COVID-19 vaccine is between 12 to 16 weeks (Covishield) after the 1st Dose. A timely completion of the vaccination schedule is important for conferring full protection to the beneficiaries.”
In a video message on Sunday, Dr Shyamjai said that the vaccination drive that began on January 16, 2021 covered different groups at different points of time. First the Health Care Workers (HCW) — doctors, nurses, MBBS students, nursing students, etc — followed by the Frontline Workers (FLW) — police, army, central armed police force, etc — were inoculated, he added.
Dr Shyamjai also stated that the changing of gaps between the first and second doses of Covishield, the COVID vaccine being administered in Manipur, created confusions especially amongst the 18 years above individuals of HCW and FLW. In order to clarify the confusion the June 11 press release was issued for this particular group to get the second dose if they are eligible. But it seemed, the press release had created some “confusions”, he maintained.
The gap between the first and second dose of Covishield was set after 4 weeks. According to the government of India directives, it changed to 6 to 8 weeks. And the latest and standing gap is 12 to 16 weeks, he added.
Dr Shyamjai also added that the second dose can be administered after 4 weeks to those who are participating in the Olympics or those who are going to foreign countries for studying or jobs.