PATNA: The healthcare workers, who got vaccinated on the first day of the drive on Saturday, allayed the apprehensions of the remaining beneficiaries in their contact regarding safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines and motivated them to go for inoculation without fear. The remaining beneficiaries registered in the first phase will be vaccinated on Monday and thereafter. Each of the 301 centres in the state has 100 healthcare workers registered for vaccination in the first phase. Only around 62% of the registered beneficiaries across the state could be vaccinated on Saturday.
Some of the vaccinated beneficiaries enjoyed the spotlight on them as they received calls from relatives, friends and neighbours to inquire about their health and experience. Kundan Kumar, who works in the billing department of a private hospital in Patna, said he experienced minor pain at the sight of the injection, but there was no adverse effect.
A resident of Rajbanshi Nagar, Kundan told this newspaper that those who called him got convinced and were ready to take the vaccine shots. “I received more than 50 calls from friends, relatives and neighbours since Saturday evening about my experience. I encouraged my colleagues to take the dose and told them that I went to my workplace after getting the shot. Now, they are also confident and ready to take the vaccine,” he said.
Nagendra (23), a data entry operator at Fatuha primary health centre (PHC), said initially he was not ready to take the vaccine. “It took more than half an hour for the doctors to persuade me to take the shot. I was the first one at the centre and reluctant also because of misinformation and tales regarding the vaccines. But now I’m relieved. One of my friends going to be vaccinated on Monday was also nervous. I told him about my experience and others as well and advised him not to hesitate,” he said.
“There are doubts about vaccination, especially in rural areas. So, it is my honour to tell the people that it is safe and has no side effects,” said Amit Kumar, a sanitation worker, who received the dose at Phulwarisharif PHC.
Dr Sudeep Kumar, additional professor of orthopaedics department at AIIMS-P, said, “At least 20 of my colleagues called me to know about my reaction. I am fine and played badminton after vaccination while my wife Dr Kranti Bhawna (head of ENT department at AIIMS-P) did her household chores and works. So we are telling people going for vaccination on Monday that it is safe and we have to take a leap of faith.”
Ranju Rani of microbiology department at IGIMS, Patna said, “It is our duty to convince the people about the vaccine and its safety. Several people contacted me to know about my experience. I have encouraged them all to take it without any fear.”