Activists seek access to jabs for transpersons, sex workers

NEW DELHI: Several activists and NGOS have demanded easier access to vaccines in “community friendly settings” and assistance in booking slots for transgender persons and sex workers in the Capital.

“Most of them have no money left... Many are also not comfortable visiting the vaccination centres because of ostracisation... We know there’s a shortage of vaccines, but even those above 45 years in our community are finding it difficult to book slots,” said Amrita Sarkar, advisor, transgender wellbeing and advocacy at India HIV/AIDS Alliance.

They also pointed out that many in these communities are already suffering from HIV, complications from sex reassignment surgery and hormone intake, and drug addiction, making them vulnerable to Covid-19. Delhi had at least 55,633 female sex workers and 9,496 transgender persons, who are covered as “High Risk Groups” under the National AIDS Control Programme of the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

“The community is... also vulnerable on account of their socio-economic status, stigma, discrimination and exclusion... that they face in society,” said AINSW, a collective of five million sex workers in India, in its note to the Delhi government.

A Delhi government spokesperson said a special vaccination drive for such communities “is under consideration”.

“Once we have sufficient vaccines, we will vaccinate each and every citizen of Delhi,” the spokesperson said.