Persons with mental illnesses get priority vaccine coverage

By prioritising individuals with mental illnesses, Tamil Nadu has ensured {that a} overwhelming majority of them beneath institutional care in Chennai and different components of the State have been vaccinated towards COVID-19.

Tamil Nadu was in a greater place when in comparison with different States when it got here to prioritising individuals with mental illnesses for vaccination. Doctors and representatives of NGOs identified that the method started a lot earlier, notably in Chennai, and a major variety of individuals with mental illnesses had acquired two doses of the vaccines.

At the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Ayanavaram, 753 residents have acquired the primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, whereas 513 have gotten the second dose as nicely. “It was a hassle-free process, with the Greater Chennai Corporation and the Differently Abled Welfare Office ensuring that our residents got access to vaccination,” P. Poorna Chandrika, director of IMH, mentioned. “There is a greater need to get persons with mental illnesses vaccinated in view of a number of factors like higher prevalence of co-morbidities, greater exposure risk and difficulty in complying with norms like hand washing, physical distancing and wearing masks. We explained to the residents the importance of vaccination, and proceeded with it based on their willingness,” she mentioned. She mentioned there have been no problems post-vaccination, besides fever for a day in some instances.

K.V. Kishore Kumar, director of The Banyan, mentioned vaccinating individuals with mental illnesses was essential as COVID-19-compliant behaviour was extraordinarily troublesome to implement amongst this inhabitants. “While we vaccinated all persons who had identity cards, there were some who did not know their names, and no ID was available with them. With the Government of India’s directive that everyone, including the homeless, with no ID cards should be vaccinated, we managed to achieve 100% vaccination, except for those who had tested positive for COVID-19,” he mentioned.

Vaccination of individuals with mental illnesses was taken up as a priority, mentioned Alby John Varghese, Deputy Commissioner (Health), Greater Chennai Corporation. “We started to vaccinate them during early April. We run five shelters that are maintained by two NGOs — The Banyan and Anbagam. Many of the residents of these shelters have already received two doses of the vaccines,” he added.

Archana Padmakar, deputy director, Emergency Care and Recovery Centre, The Banyan, mentioned a complete of 292 shoppers and 186 employees had been vaccinated. While shoppers who have been cellular have been taken to the closest Primary Health Centre for vaccination, a camp was organised by the PHC for the bedridden.“Persons with mental illnesses are more immune-compromised as many have been homeless, and have metabolic syndrome profiles. In the last wave, we lost four of our clients to COVID-19 complications, and hence, it was important to get them vaccinated. Those who had tested positive easily developed post-COVID complications, like electrolyte disturbances, high blood pressure and rapid deterioration. In the second wave, persons with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or known case of asthma came through due to vaccination, and it did not lead to hospitalisation,” she mentioned.

How did the method of vaccination take off?

“There are many myths surrounding vaccination. We started to hold awareness sessions for clients. It took some time before many gave their consent. One of the factors that motivated them was seeing our staff getting vaccinated. All of them were mandatorily screened prior to vaccination,” she defined.