To achieve the target set of 100 per cent vaccination in Jammu Kashmir, the government has started a door-to-door vaccination drive and are even vaccinating farmers in the fields. The measure is appreciable so far a section of population like old, invalid and people with disabilities to move to the Vaccination Centre which is far away particularly in rural areas.
A step further, the vaccination drive is even taken to the fields to inoculate the farming community. The step has been applauded on social media widely, however, there are some issues that experts have criticised and according to them it is not a scientific way and in violation of Covid vaccination protocols.
Many experts in this regard who have expressed that the way people are being vaccinated in fields was not permissible as per Covid guidelines.
They said that it is an unscientific method as well and as per guidelines a vaccinated person must be kept under observation for half an hour at least which isn’t possible when you are vaccinating a person in the field or vaccinating drivers on the roadside.
They said that the administration must vaccinate people at vaccination centres only, however, handicapped persons and old people who find to difficult to reach centre can be vaccinated at home but must be kept under observation for around an hour.
At the most, if the campaign has to be carried out the way it has been done, better if temporary vaccination centres are established for two-three villages or near the farms observing the proper guidelines, the most important one is observation for a minimum of 30 minutes and it is mandatory.
Since the protocols say that whenever you vaccinate a person, he might experience some side effect and when they won’t be under observation, it can prove dangerous for them in case of a medical emergency, in the field or a driver on the roadside.
However, in some areas, door-to-door vaccination drive during night hours has also been initiated to ensure no one is left out as men folk in rural areas were often found out of their homes during day time as they would be the woods for their routine chores.
While the spirit behind the drive is good but we should follow guidelines. There are clear cut directions that observation after vaccination is a must for the adverse event following immunization (AEFI).
