COVID vaccines provide strong immunity against coronavirus infection only after the second dose is administered. But not many in the country seem aware of it. The health ministry says the country cannot afford another outbreak at the cost of complacency. The ministry is advising the public to follow COVID protocols seriously.
According to the health ministry, people have become complacent after the nationwide vaccination programme. With the public assuming it safe after receiving the first dose of the Covishield vaccine, even the prevention measures such as water taps set up in public places and institutions now remain underutilised.
“I found that the passengers do not wear a mask and when we tell them to wear, some say that they have already taken the first dose and it’s okay to not wear the mask. People have also started gathering in town. They say the infection is under control in the country with many vaccinated during the mass vaccination campaign,” said Kinley Gyaltshen, a taxi driver in Thimphu.
“While on duty we see that people have started taking safety measures lightly after receiving the first dose. They act as if the disease is eradicated now,” added Tshering Dendup, a Desuup.
Health experts have said that a second dose is necessary to ensure 82 to 90 % protection against coronavirus. Besides, there is a section of the population ineligible for COVID vaccines who are vulnerable to infection even if the entire eligible population is vaccinated.
“People should know that there is a section of the population not immunised or vaccinated. And even for those vaccinated, we may not have full immunity as it is achieved only after taking both first and second doses of the vaccine. And by full protection, I don’t mean that those who are immunised will get 100 per cent protection. The Covishield vaccine, during a recent study, found that the protection is about 82%,” said Dr GP Dhakal, the Head of Medicine Department at JDWNRH.
The week-long mass vaccination campaign which started on 27th March inoculated around 90 per cent of the country’s eligible population against COVID-19. However, regardless of whether people receive the first jab or not, the health ministry is advising the public to continue using a face mask, maintain physical distancing and proper hand hygiene.
Kelzang Choden
