PATNA: Taking Covid-19 vaccine during Navaratra and Ramzan will not break the fast, felt most of the 300 religious, spiritual and community leaders from across Bihar at an online workshop organized by Bihar Interfaith Forum for Children, UNICEF and WHO on Thursday.
The experts at the workshop also observed that one infected person, who does not follow proper Covid bhaviour, can potentially infect up to 400 people in 30 days in the ongoing second wave of the pandemic.
Dr Sala Siddhartha Sankar Reddy, health officer, UNICEF (Bihar), in a detailed presentation said: “As per the recent studies, one infected person who does not follow precautions like wearing a mask or social distancing can potentially infect up to 400 people in 30 days. If one takes all precautions, the exposure rate is reduced to 75% and the potential of infecting others to only 2.5 people in 30 days.”
Regional team leader of WHO, Bihar, Dr Subramanya cleared doubts about vaccination and adverse events following vaccination (AEFI). Urging people to take utmost precautions during festivals and vaccine during religious fast, Dr Subramanya said, “The vaccine can be taken during Ramzan, Navaratra or any religious fast because it is an intramuscular dose and does not break the fast.
However, it is better to eat something as people tend to feel anxious, queasy in an empty stomach. So, it would be beneficial to synchronise your time and eat something (iftar) or falahar.”
Prof Syed Shah Shamimuddin Ahmed Munemi of Khanquah Munemia echoed similar views and said, “Government must ensure easy vaccination process at centres. This will gain the trust of general public.”
Moulana Md Anisur Rahman Quasmi of the All India Milli Council said, “The government should conduct pre-vaccination check-up of people with comorbidities. This will help in reducing any side-effect and building trust for the vaccine."
The International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) has also allowed vaccination during Ramzan.
Father Joseph George, director of Bhagalpur Social Service Society, said, “Information about the vaccine is not reaching the small churches and marginalized groups.”
Dr Ashok Kumar of Gayatri Pariwar urged people not to move out if not necessary. “We must create a positive atmosphere at home and have trust in God in hard times,” he added.
B K Jyoti of Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya in Patna said, “I have been vaccinated without any side-effects.”
Moderating the programme, UNICEF Bihar communication specialist Nipurnh Gupta said: “There is an infodemic in the pandemic. We need to share the correct information from trusted and verified sources. Faith leaders can hire young tech-savvy cadre to check and verify the accuracy of the messages. They have immense influence on the public and thus have a lot of responsibilities.”