By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: The second wave of COVID-19 has created ripples in Kashmir. The authorities are urging people to visit the nearest vaccination centers and get a jab.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Aijaz Asad, while reacting to the surge in Covid cases tweeted: “Last year, this day we were fighting without vaccine! By now, 80 Covid vaccination centres have been set up in the (Srinagar) district. Please visit your nearest centre to take the jab & let’s fight from the position of strength.”
Even the doctors and experts are asking people to get themselves vaccinated. But the big question which everyone seems to be asking is that whether the vaccines are effective against the new variant or not?
Wire agency IANS on Wednesday reported that a successful doctor couple in their 60s, in Lucknow, received both doses of Covid vaccine last month and after that they resumed private practice at their clinic. But to their horror, both of them were found Covid positive again.
They were not alone as news emerged from Lucknow that at least 40 doctors of King George’s Medical University (KGMU), including Vice Chancellor Lt Gen (retd) Vipin Puri, have tested positive for novel coronavirus, despite most of them taking both the doses of the vaccine.
Experts are of the opinion that the COVID-19 variant has mutated and genetic testing is needed to study behavior of the virus. Most people associated with the medical profession are of the firm belief that vaccines are the only potent weapon to develop herd immunity and fight the pestilence. “When vaccines were introduced people were reluctant as misconceptions had been created about the possible side effects. But during all these months, people who got vaccinated did not complain about any side effects. Now, more and more people are coming forward to get a COVID-19 jab. It’s a good sign,” said a medico.
He said, “Cases about people testing Covid positive after receiving the vaccines have come to fore but the number has not been that high. The COVID-19 sops need to be followed even after getting vaccinated as the virus is just one year old and it will take some more time to eradicate it completely. People who catch COVID even after getting vaccinated have higher chances of survival. This fact cannot be discounted. Ones who are claiming that the jabs are not working are creating a wrong notion. We are in a much better position than last year.”
‘After 1-year we’re in a better position to fight COVID-19’
