TNGDA seeks opinion on COVID-19 vaccine security, to issue advisory on Jan 14

With some docs expressing issues over the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine and expressing their unwillingness to vaccinate, the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) has sought the opinion of unbiased specialists on the protection, efficacy and selection of vaccines provided and can issue an advisory for its members, primarily based on the studies.

With the vaccination towards COVID-19 for healthcare professionals and employees set to begin soon, TNGDA has despatched a round to all State Executive Committee (EC) members of the affiliation. TNGDA mentioned the federal government of India has introduced the beginning of vaccination towards SARS-CoV-2 and has permitted two vaccines to be used. The authorities has deliberate to launch the vaccination drive with two vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin. The Centre had introduced the beginning of vaccination for healthcare professionals from January 16.

“In this situation, some of the doctors and other frontline workers have expressed concern on the safety of the vaccine supplied and if they have a choice. Some doctors have expressed unwillingness to vaccinate themselves for the fear of serious complications vis-a-vis the disease (infectivity and mortality)”, the affiliation mentioned within the round.

Due to the queries raised and the doubts prevailing amongst sections of docs, TNGDA has sought an opinion from three unbiased prime specialists on the protection, efficacy and selection of vaccines provided in two days — by January 13. It will issue an advisory for its members and different stakeholders primarily based on these studies after the scheduled TNGDA emergency government committee assembly on January 14.

“We will finalise the advisory on January 14. It will mostly be on the type of vaccine to be preferred and who should take it. It is mostly surrounding the safety aspect,” an workplace bearer mentioned.