Trans Pakistanis face hurdles to get jab

Nasira Manojee, an HIV-positive transgender woman from Karachi, Pakistan, had to overcome her worst fears before getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I have faith in the top-notch doctors who are urging everyone to get vaccinated,” said Manojee, 42, who has been taking antiretroviral medication for HIV since 2017.

But Manojee is jittery about going back for her second shot, reflecting widespread vaccine hesitancy among trans Pakistanis.

Despite official medical advice for them to get vaccinated, many trans Pakistanis fear they could be at risk of side effects due to high rates of pre-existing conditions such as HIV, hepatitis C or complications from gender reassignment surgery.

“My friend told me I may get sick since I have HIV,” said Manojee, who has turned to begging since pandemic curbs put a stop to her usual work as a dancer at social gatherings.

Pakistan's parliament recognized the third gender in 2018, giving trans people fundamental rights such as the ability to vote and choose their gender on official documents.

But many members of the trans community remain on the margins of society and often make a living through begging, dancing or sex work.

A 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people. Trans rights groups say the number could be 500,000 in the country of 220 million.

According to UNAIDS, people who are HIV-positive may suffer “more severe outcomes” from COVID-19 and should be vaccinated.

Countries should consider people living with HIV as a high risk group for COVID -19, prioritizing them for vaccination, it said in June.

But Zehrish Khanzadi, 29, who works at Gender Interactive Alliance, had to pluck up courage to line up with other women at the vaccination centre. “I was nervous and conscious of standing in the women's line and was bracing for something untoward to happen,” she said.

Her fears were proved right when she and her friend were asked to step aside and let the others waiting in line go first.

“Me and my friend stood our ground and refused so it ended there,” she said, the pride evident in her voice.

Pakistan has seen soaring coronavirus infections fuelled by the Delta variant.

Aradhiya Khan, 23, went for her vaccination “at 2 a.m. when there were very few people around. My mother was with me and we stood in the women's line,” Khan said.

Khan said she felt uncomfortable — stared at by a group of young male volunteers.

She posted a photograph of herself being vaccinated on social media afterwards, hoping to encourage other trans people to get the jab.

“It is our responsibility to get vaccinated to protect ourselves as well as others,” Khan said, urging the government to hold special inoculation camps for members of the trans community.

Manojee said that would also make it cheaper for people to travel to vaccination centres.

Authorities in Sindh province, where she lives, are set to launch mobile immunization units to encourage vaccination among all social groups.

“The community can come in groups splitting rickshaw fares in these times of financial slump,” Manojee said.

More importantly, she added, it would mean “no fear of being humiliated or asked to step aside from the queues.”