Second Covid vaccine shot a must, don’t skip it: Experts

LUCKNOW: Experts have expressed concern over the reluctance of people in taking a second dose of the Covid vaccine in the country.

Speaking to HT on phone, health officer, UNICEF Dr Praful Bharadwaj said, “From January 16 to September 23, the first dose was administered to 80,885,097 people in India , while second dose was administered to only to 17,998,110 people which is only 11.96% of the total people who have taken the first shot.

However, to its credit the government has vaccinated 98,883,207 people from January 16 to September 23 , which is a humongous task.”

He said , “When the government is conducting on a war footing, people must take the second dose seriously because it is the second shot that provides full immunity against the virus. Taking both doses can help control the spread of the virus.”

“Complete vaccination means taking both the doses of Covid vaccine timely. Single dose does not ensure complete protection against the infection. We must act responsibly and ensure our safety by completing our vaccination on the scheduled time. Covid 19 vaccination has picked up well since the launch of the cluster model in which vaccination teams visit the villages/ urban slums instead of making people come to the health centres. For the second dose, there are dedicated centres in all the districts and anybody can “walk-in” for inoculation,” he said.

Medical director, Medanta Lucknow, Dr Rakesh Kapoor said, “When you consider new emerging variants, it’s important that you take your vaccination process seriously and follow all the guidelines. We must learn from the second wave and prevent a potential third wave. Despite this, if people are reluctant in taking the vaccine or believe that skipping their second shot is a possible option, they are wrong. Everyone knows that at present Covid vaccines are the only mode of protection against the virus and that the second dose is the most important of the two shot. It gives you complete protection. Besides, it reduces chances of contracting the virus.”

Director, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Professor Radha Krishna Dhiman said, “Those fully vaccinated are less susceptible to delta variants against those who are partially vaccinated. So everyone must take the second dose.”