Students going abroad for higher studies wary of flying out before taking jabs, but don’t want to lose a year
A youngster takes her jab at Nair hospital last week. File pic
A sudden pause in the vaccination drive for those in the 18-44 age group is worrying students going abroad for higher studies. While most are scheduled to start courses in different countries by August/September, parents feel their wards should be vaccinated on priority.
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Also, many universities are expecting their students to be vaccinated before they start their studies. Speaking to mid-day, Anand Verma, a parent, said, “It will take a few months for the students to settle down in the foreign countries and be covered under their health policies. Until then we will be under tremendous stress here. Vaccination will definitely be a great assurance.”
Adding to this, another parent Shubhada Chaukar said, “Though there has been no formal communication regarding this from foreign universities, now that admissions have been finalised and informal discussions are taking place with the respective administrations, vaccination will definitely be an added advantage.” Chaukar along with her daughter, who is heading to Europe for higher studies, have written several letters to the chief minister of the state as well as the Prime Minister in this regard.
The third phase of the vaccination drive for those in the 18-44 years group has been paused in the state. File pic
“Every year we have lakhs of students travelling to foreign countries for higher studies. Last year this whole process was put on hold due to the pandemic. But now the situation is getting better in many countries and regular studies have begun. We cannot expect our students to wait for another year,” shared Chaukar, adding that she had also sent a collective letter in this regard along with Mumbai Grahak Panchayat — a collective of consumers, to the CM and health minister of the country as well.
Also Read: Maharashtra govt seeks students’ data for on-campus Covid-19 vaccination
The letter by Shirish Deshpande, chairman of the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, reads, “So many Indian students planning to go abroad for studies are waiting to get vaccinated before they leave. Most of the Universities in USA, UK and Europe start the academic year in August/September. By now, most of the students have got admissions and even the universities are expecting them to be fully vaccinated before they join. Even parents feel that it will be better to get both the jabs before their wards travel. The first dose needs to be administered soon so that the second one can be taken before August/September.”
Meanwhile, parents and students said that many universities were informally suggesting getting vaccinated before joining. “It will also help in finalising accommodation in various countries as India is facing a terrible second wave of the pandemic. My daughter was admitted to a university in Denmark, but after the second wave hit India, there was a long gap in communication with the university administration. When we wrote to them seeking details, we were told that the process has been put on hold for her,” shared a parent requesting anonymity. Vishal Kopre, who will be travelling to Germany for higher studies, said, “Germany has restricted entry to Indian students. If our country takes a stand in vaccinating outgoing students, it may change the situation.”
Chaukar further said, “Since students from countries across the globe are travelling for higher studies, it is being suggested that they get vaccinated, because it will be safe on campus. Various activities require students to gather too, so vaccination will be like a precautionary measure.”
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