Mumbai: Why COVID-19 vaccine dose 2 has poor response

Various factors — including a long window, app failures and misconceptions — have slowed down delivery process

While the drive for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has started, a host of reasons has kept the response low. This includes technical glitches and health workers preferring to go as per their convenience rather than on exactly the 28th day from the first dose. On the other hand, although the BMC has issued an advisory for its own staff, the over one lakh frontline workers, regarding the vaccination, the anxiety and side effects induced by the vaccine are things they have to deal with alone. This, too, has become a deterrent. So far, only 676 out of 6,864 health workers have received the second dose on the first three days of the drive. 

Though the technical issues in the CoWIN app were the main hurdles, authorities also have to deal with issues related to more centres, recipients’ anxiety and casual leaves after vaccination.  “There was chaos initially which hasn’t resolved yet. So I will wait for a few more days. Why waste time and return without a vaccine if I can go next week?” said a nurse from a civic-run hospital on the condition of anonymity. 

A BEST employee gets vaccinated

Another health worker said, “We need not go on the exact 28th day. And I didn’t get a message either. But I will go for the second dose, that is for sure.”

A BMC official said, “Administering of the second dose started just three days ago. There were hardly 5,000 people who received the jab in the first three days. Though the minimum period between two doses has to be 28 days, there isn’t any maximum limit. So people will plan according to their schedule.” 

BEST employees at the vaccination centre of Ambedkar hospital in Kandivli on Wednesday

“The second dose will boost immunity further. But it will not provide 100 per cent protection against the virus. Some people may have already developed antibodies and some will get help from two doses. It works differently for everyone,” said Dr Mangala Gomare, executive health officer of the BMC.

‘BMC must be proactive’

“I had a fever with shivers after I took the jab last week and had to stay home for two days. Many of my colleagues had to take a day off after the vaccination due to high fever,” said an employee from a BMC ward office. Though she is ready to take the second jab, she thinks the administration has to take some steps in this matter. 
“Many employees have complained about fever, body ache, nausea, dizziness, headache for one to three days after the first dose. Now they have to take another one after 28 days. We requested the administration to consider giving causal leave of one to three days as per individual requirement,” said Ramakant Bane, general secretary of The Municipal Union. 

The issue was also discussed in the task force meeting and in the advisory issued for BMC employees. The guidelines give the responsibility of vaccination-related planning to the various head of departments. “They have to plan the vaccination schedule for their staff, inform centres about changes in mobile numbers. A vehicle can be arranged for over 10 employees and a special vaccination drive can also be arranged for a larger department,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.

Technical glitches continue to be a big hurdle for the BMC. For even if they have the data, they can’t give the dose unless the name reflects in the CoWIN system. “In the first week, the vaccine had been given without entering the details in CoWIN. The entries were made afterwards. Now the app shows messages like, ‘28 days are not over’, or ‘Doses completed’ or says that not a single dose has been given. We have to clear these issues before giving the second dose,” said Dr Gomare.

676
No. of people (out of 6,864 eligible) who have taken their second dose so far

28 Days 
The time period within which a vaccine recipient needs to take his/her second dose after getting the first shot to ensure the efficacy of the dose

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!