North Karnataka staff ask women to seek jab after periods

BELAGAVI: Staffers at some vaccination centres in north Karnataka have been reportedly asking menstruating women to seek jabs five days after their cycle. Activists say eligible beneficiaries are being asked to return later in Raichur, Belagavi and Bidar districts.
In Raichur, some health workers, without any recorded data of post-vaccination complications, told women that the jab might lead to heavier bleeding and fatigue and they should wait for the periods to end, according to activist Vidhya Patil. “They are specifically asking women not to take the vaccine during the menstruation cycle,” said Vidhya, who works for the welfare of rural communities.
But Raichur district health officer Ramakrishna said that no such incident had been reported in the district. “There are no such directions from the government, and women are being administered vaccines,” said Raichur deputy commissioner R Venkatesh Kumar.
At an urban health centre on Mandoli Road, Belagavi, some women were asked to come back after their periods. “I was asked to seek the jab after five to six days. I wonder why they advised me to delay the shot when there is no such directive from the health and family welfare department. The health worker said they were merely exercising caution,” said a woman.
Belagavi district immunisation officer IP Gadad said he had instructed vaccination centres to jab all women, irrespective of whether they are menstruating. “There is absolutely no need for any fear. Vaccines, if administered during the cycle, do not cause any side effects,” he stressed.
Vinay Malge, an activist in Bidar, said that the issue had been resolved in the district.