There is no harm in taking the vaccine, says BMC official

Suresh Kakani Mumbairsquos Additional Municipal Commissioner Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC took the hot seat at VCanrsquos digital social sanchar on Wednesday The commissioner answered questions on the big V of our times the vaccine as we look to turn the corner against the COVID19 outbreak VCAN stands for V Citizens Action Network a trust that facilitates interaction aiming to act as a bridge between citizens and government representativesClear conciseKakani cleared the air took queries from the curious and wary and gave us a glimpse at where we stand on the vaccination front including a loose framework of when ordinary citizens can expect the jabHot buttonThe commissioner put his finger on the pulse of the people when he said as starters ldquoThis topic is exciting and close to everyones heart We started the vaccination drive on January 16 we are in phase 1 The Drug Controller of India has given emergency approval to two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the Oxford university in England and Astra Zeneca Covaxin has been manufactured by Bharat Biotech which is a local company As far as Mumbai is concerned we have been provided with both vaccines with municipal facilities getting Covishield The JJ Hospital which is being controlled by the government of Maharashtra has been provided CovaxinrdquoThe beneficiariesKakani spoke about the beneficiaries of this vaccine and explained ldquoAccording to directives given to us by the government of India the first to get the vaccine will be healthcare workers doctors nurses paramedics and ward staff We aim to finish Phase I by February 14ldquoBeneficiaries are told to come to the vaccination centre via the CoWin app asked to show their Aadhar card or any other identity like driving license election card passporthellip and verification is done The second level is going to the vaccination room where it takes a minute to take the shot then on to the observation room where the recipient has to spend 30 minutes so that in case of any adverse effect heshe can be treated thererdquo said Kakani about the procedureWe have yet to come to the second phase in which frontline workers like police security staff conservancy staffers people involved in solid waste management will be given the vaccine he said Kakani said the third category is persons who are more than 50 years old and have comorbidities like diabetes hypertension or some serious ailmentVaccine noThe chief explained ldquoThere is no upper age limit to get a COVID vaccine but it is not for those below 18 years A pregnant woman or lactating mother should not take the vaccine A person who is COVID positive is not supposed to go to the vaccination centre as heshe may infect the other beneficiaries Heshe can go after four or six weeks of recovery Persons who get some reaction or adverse effect after the first dose given on Day 0 should not go for the second dose on Day 28 or after as in the case of Covishield This is a voluntary drive We are not taking a separate consent form as once you walk into the vaccination centre you have given your consent for the vaccineQuery coolQuestions via social media flew in thick and fast Kakani said responding to a question about vaccines at private facilities ldquoWe have started collecting data from private hospitals whether there are adequate facilities like staffers to be trained and whether they are willing to become centres for vaccinationrdquoHe emphasised ldquoThose exposed to the infection must go for the vaccine as there is no harm and we have a system in place to deal with any adverse effectrdquoKakani stressed ldquoWear a mask even after both doses it is necessary In fact this covering should become a part of our lives We need to use hand sanitisers regularly toordquo Then it was sign off from Kakani ending a lucid session all about vaccine eloquent