Mild side effects of vaccination of no consequence: Experts

LUCKNOW: Some beneficiaries inoculated for Covid-19 showed mild side effects, including fever, but experts said it was a natural sign of vaccination.

“About 10% of the beneficiaries got side effects. I also had fever after the shot. It is a result of immunogenic reaction which I had after the first dose and is expected in any vaccination. The vaccines are safe,” said Dr Ajai Ghai, state immunisation officer, while addressing a media workshop on vaccination by the Centre for Advocacy and Research on Wednesday.

He said from next month those above 50 years would be inoculated. No one in the entire state needed hospitalization, nor was there any major reaction after vaccination, he said.

Sharing the efforts to boost vaccination percentage, Dr Ghai said employees listed for vaccination but transferred could now get vaccinated in the district where they had been shifted.

The ‘add beneficiary’ feature that till now worked for getting the shot at any vaccination centre in the same district (where the beneficiary was listed) would now work inter-district, said Dr Ghai. He said of the targeted 9.37 lakh health workers, 75% had been vaccinated.

In the workshop, experts including Prof Surya Kant, HoD respiratory medicine at the KGMU, gave an overview of the Covid situation. “UP has reported fewer cases than the national average. But infection is still there and can harm people,” said Prof Surya Kant.

Certificate post dose 2 Beneficiaries of vaccination will get a certificate after second dose. This certificate can be used for multiple purposes, such as travel, if it requires them to show they are vaccinated. “After the second dose the beneficiary will get an SMS which will have a link and the certificate can be downloaded and printed for use,” said Dr Ajai Ghai, state immunisation officer.

10K frontline workers to get the jab

Over 10,000 frontline workers will be vaccinated at 83 vaccination booths at 21 vaccination centres in Lucknow during the 10th round of vaccination on Thursday. A list of 10,375 frontline workers has been made and SMSes have been sent to them, said Dr MK Singh, in- charge vaccination in Lucknow.