India successfully rolled out the massive coronavirus vaccination drive on January 16, where 2 vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin are being administered to frontline health workers across the country. Although the situation is under control, three W's, wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance is very important to contain the spread of Covid-19.

 

Healthcare professionals are of the opinion that “prevention is better than cure” and many healthcare professionals including doctors, who recovered from Covid-19, were among those who have taken the vaccine since they continue to work with Covid patients.

Some of them were asymptomatic when they tested positive for the virus but all are wary of reinfection since there has been multiple such cases among colleagues.

A doctor from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, who took the jab said, “There is no clarity on how long antibody protection lasts for those exposed to the virus”. The doctor said he suffered the infection eight months ago and there is no evidence yet on whether antibodies produced then would help now or in the future. “Though we have recovered, we are as vulnerable as those who have never been infected,” he further added.

“People who have recovered from Covid are eligible to take the vaccine after four weeks of infection,” said Dr Manoj Kumar HV, Dean and Director of the hospital.

In September, Dr Riyan S Shetty, consultant in paediatric cardiac intensive therapy and head of extracorporeal life support, Narayana Health, had tested positive for Covid after working for a week in Covid wards. “At that time, there were a total 400 Covid cases in the hospital and most of us had volunteered to work in the Covid wards. The infection was mild and I was in isolation for 14 days”, said Dr Shetty. Dr Shetty took the jab on Saturday. “Vaccination was an emotional moment. In future, the burden can be reduced,” he said.

Dr Prakash Doraiswamy, senior consultant, anaesthesia and critical care, Aster CMI hospital, contracted the infection in June and said, “There is no specific test for antibody activity and to assess if someone is immune to SARS-CoV2. Authorities across the globe say even those who recovered from Covid need to take the vaccine. It also helps instil confidence among colleagues.”

In other news, a 42-year-old ambulance driver who was given Covishield at Kuntala Primary Health Centre in Nirmal district on Tuesday, died in the early hours of Wednesday after complaining of chest pain. The Telangana government has said that primary investigation suggested that the death was not related to the vaccine.

“The district AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization) committee is examining the matter and will submit its report to the state AEFI committee which will submit it to the Centre,” Director of Public Health, G Srinivas Rao, said in a statement.