Patiala staff violate norm, give 2nd dose after 28 days

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 18

Violating the directions of the Central Government, health officials at the Patiala Police Lines reportedly gave the second dose of Covishield to police personnel before the lapse of the time window of six to eight weeks.

Last month, the Centre had issued directions to administer the second dose of Covishield between six and eight weeks of the first dose. However, health officials did not wait and jabbed the beneficiaries after 28 days only.

The negligence came to the fore when a DSP-rank officer called up another health official to enquire about the guidelines after he was given the second dose of Covishield on Saturday. Sources said many police personnel got their second shot before six weeks.

Health experts have already claimed that protection from the novel coronavirus will be greater if the second dose of Covishield is taken between six and eight weeks after the first one. Both doses should be taken within the recommended time for stronger immunity and both doses must be of the same vaccine, said the experts.

On the negligence, Dr Veenu Goyal, District Immunisation Officer, said she was not aware about it. However, she would ask the staff concerned about the issue. “It may be Covaxin, which can be given after 28 days of the first dose. However, I will look into it.”

The Patiala Civil Surgeon, Dr Satinder Singh, said, “ I have directed the staff concerned to be careful in future.”