In the last ten days, almost 90 per cent of the total eligible population were vaccinated. The vaccination drive is still ongoing for people with disability and the elderly as well as for those who missed out.
In the last week and a half, close to 470,000 people in the country got their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Almost 9,300 cases of side effects from the vaccine were also reported. Of this, more than 40 cases were recorded as serious which include allergic reactions from the vaccine as well as because of pre-existing medical conditions.
Most of the dzongkhags achieved more than 80 per cent of the vaccination target.
“Just now we are administering the first shot, although there will be some protection and of course, people need to get double immunity because it will take at least a minimum of two weeks to develop immunity against COVID-19. Still then, I think it is not enough for all individuals to develop adequate protection. That is why people have to get a second jab which will happen only after eight to twelve weeks. After two weeks of the second jab, we consider them as fully vaccinated,” said Dr Sonam Wangchuk, the Head of the Royal Centre for Disease Control.
Meanwhile, for those who deferred the vaccination for circumstances such as pregnancy, lactating women and children below the age of 18 years can get vaccinated when they become eligible.
“Registration would be a continuous process so whenever they are eligible then at the respective health centre they will have some information if not I think still may be the children completing 18 years, their parents can call the health centres. Accordingly, they will try to collate the number of people who are eligible for vaccination including the pregnant and lactating mother who would have deferred just now. Based on that when there is adequate number they will call to get their jab,” he added.
He said the government is currently in talks with their Indian counterpart regarding the arrival of the second dose of the Covidshield vaccine. The second dose is expected to be carried out after eight to twelve weeks.
Kinzang Lhadon
