Chaos prevails at centres as vaccine dose rescheduled in UP's Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: Chaos and confusion prevailed at most of the Covid vaccination centres in Prayagraj district on Monday after scores of recipients, who arrived at the centres to get the second dose vaccination, had to return disappointed as CoWin digital portal has been reconfigured to reflect the change in dose interval of the Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from the earlier 4-8 weeks.
However, those who already booked online appointments for the second dose of Covishield remained valid and got vaccination. Health officials said that beneficiaries are being advised to reschedule their appointment for a later date beyond the 84th day from the date of first dose of vaccination.
Pointedly, the Union government had on Thursday extended the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks based on the recommendations made by the Covid Working Group and further communicated to states and UTs about the change.
Similarly, the Co-WIN digital portal has also been reconfigured to reflect this extension of interval for two doses of Covishield.
However, officials of the health department faced a tough situation at vaccination sites to pacify the recipients and make them aware about rescheduled plan for a second dose of vaccination.
“Most of the recipients were not aware about the change in the gap between two doses and subsequently CoWin digital portal not accept the second dose before 12-16 weeks, recipients were asked to reschedule their dates,” said additional chief medical officer and district immunization officer of (Prayagraj) Dr. Teerath Lal.
He added, “Scores of recipients seeking second dose vaccination as per the earlier schedule, have arrived at vaccination sites but asked to come on rescheduled date for vaccination.
However, recipients were spotted arguing with health workers assigned for vaccination claiming that they should be made aware about the rescheduling through SMS or other communication modes so that they should not face unwanted chaos and confusion on arrival.
A recipient, R K Mishra, said: “I along with three of my family members arrived at the community health centre to get the second dose of Covishield but the data operator sitting at the gate of vaccination asked to check my vaccination card and advised to come 12-16 week later claiming that vaccination for second dose schedule has been rescheduled.”
He added, “We travelled 40 km from our house to the vaccination centre but the rescheduling plan has played spoilsport.”
Ravi Kumar, another recipient, alleged that “Recipients should have been given prior information on their mobile through SMS about the rescheduling of dose. Hundreds of people who came at centres for the second dose of Covishield as per their earlier schedule return empty- handed.”