Experts suggest preference to vulnerable section
LUCKNOW: With health department planning to start the vaccination of those over 50 years of age once the anti-Covid dose to frontline workers (FLWs) is completed, experts suggested giving preference those who are more vulnerable in this group, including those who have respiratory illness, diabetes and are immuno-compromised.
On his part, director general (family welfare) Dr Rakesh Dubey said, “We have started the second dose for health workers and frontline workers are getting their first dose. As we are done with the doses for health workers’ second dose and also the first dose of FLWs, the focus will be on 50-plus people.” “We shall soon get the guidelines for it,” he said. Asked about common people getting access to the Co-Win portal for their registration, Dr Dubey said, “We are yet to get information about it, but may be announced soon.”
“People having respiratory illness, (those who are) immunocompromised, diabetic should be vaccinated first, ideally,” said Prof Kausar Usman, head of the department of geriatric medicine at King George’s Medical University (KGMU). “There is a simple reason as the elderly with
People having respiratory illness, (those who are) immunocompromised, diabetic should be vaccinated first, ideally PROF KAUSAR USMAN, HoD of geriatric medicine, KGMU
a co-morbid condition are more vulnerable to catching infection. And, as Covid is under control but not gone, they (the elderly with co-morbidity) need protection quickly,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of International Doctors.
“In UP, 9.37 lakh health workers were listed for vaccination and 75% of them have been given the jab. About 20,000 have got their second dose also and we hope the mop-up round planned on February 19 will take the vaccination (first dose) among health workers certainly beyond 80% or 82%,” said Dr Ajai Ghai, the state immunisation officer. The health department will first use the data of the elderly obtained from household surveys and hospitals.