Jabs safe, shots-at-home should get nod: Experts

PUNE: Public health experts have now backed the idea of home vaccination for certain at-risk beneficiaries, adding that door-to-door programmes should be allowed especially when the Centre has declared that both vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — are completely safe.
Experts said senior citizens who’re unable to travel to sites and people with disabilities should not be denied vaccines and should be served through door-to-door vaccination drives.
Retired professor of clinical virology from CMC Vellore, Dr Jacob T John, said the public health programme should cover all eligible citizens.
He said, “According to the Centre, both vaccines are safe and not associated with any serious adverse events. But it is prudent to be prepared to treat anaphylaxis in each recipient. All it takes for monitoring is a trained healthcare worker such as a nurse or a doctor who can visit those who’re unable to travel to a Covid-19 vaccination centre.”
He added that after receiving the jab, instructions for such recipients should be left with caretakers or people who can respond quickly if there is an emergency.
Dr Naveen Thacker, president-elect of the International Pediatric Association (IPA), said innovations must be made to ensure people with mobility issues have access to the vaccines.
“The decision early on to vaccinate only at health facilities was made due to concerns over adverse events. But we know now there have not been any significant side effects,” Dr Thacker said.
He added that many countries have allowed drive-in vaccine drives and programmes at workplaces.
“In India, Gujarat successfully carried out a pilot drive for young people in Gandhinagar and Bhuj. Why can’t we be flexible for senior citizens who’re at higher risk of severe Covid,” he said. Dr NK Arora, member of the National Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) committee, said door-to-door Covid vaccines cannot be done because of the risk of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction.
He reiterated that there have not been any serious side-effects, but added that in some parts of the country, especially rural areas and remote regions, effective response to anaphylaxis can only be possible at health centres.
As for door-to-door jabs in Maharashtra, state health secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas said they are only following central directives that haven’t yet permitted home vaccination.