Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 13: Health experts have vehemently urged the state government to make getting the second dose of anti covid19 vaccination mandatory, taking cue from the disinterestedness of the people in getting the second dose of the vaccination and the fact that Covid infection has raised its ugly head again in several countries.

Out of the adults who are eligible for the Covid vaccine, 88 percent have got the first dose. But the number of people who have got the second dose so far has not even crossed the 50 percent mark. Even though the prescribed period within which the people were advised to get the second dose has expired, many have ignored the second dose. People of some countries are now paying the price for having neglected the vaccination process. Therefore, they say that only those who have obtained both the doses should be allowed to take part in socio-economic activities. Through this method, the people should be compelled to get the vaccinations, the experts have suggested.

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When the government began the unlock process and allowed the activities to be started one by one, it had made the first dose of the vaccine mandatory. Now, even though almost all the activities have been allowed to be performed, the rule that those who have got both the doses of the vaccination can participate in them, has not been made. The government has not issued the order making it a rule that only those who have obtained both the doses of the vaccine can take part in activities. Therefore, the people have shown disinclination to get the second dose, the experts say.

Head of the cancer department of HCG Hospital and member of the state Genomic Survey Committee, Dr Vishal Rao, says that the virus is mutating fast and its variants are found at a fast pace. "Already, 8,572 variants of corona virus have been found so far. Even though the vaccine has come, the virus is competing against it. If the vaccination wins, only then we can stop the virus from getting a new form and thereby stop a disaster. For that to happen, people have to be vaccinated in full," he insisted.

"So far, we used to advise the people to maintain social distance, wear masks and keep sanitizing hands frequently. But in order to stop the virus from getting new variants people have to get vaccinated with both the doses and follow other Covid-compliant behaviours like maintaining social distance. Otherwise, we will be responsible for the emergence of a new breed of the virus, he warns.

He warns that Karnataka even now reports 250 to 350 new cases every day and an average of four out of a hundred infected people are dying. Therefore, we should be extremely careful for the next six months, he said.

Director of Jayadeva Hospital, Dr C N Manjunath, says that the people do not seem to have learnt their lessons from the disaster let loose by the Covid second wave. "Thousands of people are dying in Russia because of covid19. It is good if the gap between first and second doses of Covishield vaccine is reduced to six to eight weeks from 12 weeks. At the same time, it should be made mandatory for the people working in close proximity with the people to get a second dose," he opines.