Telangana govt asks centre for more COVID-19 vaccines

To put a counselling mechanism in place to counsel health workers who register for vaccine but withdraw due to alleged fears: Eatala Rajender

Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender indicated that his government has requested the union health minister to allow his state to get more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as it is developed within the state (in Hyderabad, reportedly referring to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin) so that it can be given out to more people.

He revealed that Telengana has received eight lakh doses so far, and also mentioned that the vaccine is not very costly, as it doesn’t cost more than Rs 200/-. The state health minister made the point that while the Telangana Government is committed to making the vaccine available to everybody, it is the Union government which is full control of the matter.

He was speaking at a virtual meeting on the COVID-19 vaccine arranged on January 31, arranged by Telangana State Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Trade (TSFCCT).

Mentioning that he had volunteered to take the vaccine to give confidence and courage and to dispel fear about the vaccine, Eatala Rajendra expressed concern that 25 to 30 per cent health workers still have not taken the vaccine.

In a statement released by the TSFCCT, the Health Minister, Government of Telangana said that it was true that some people are afraid to take vaccines due to fears spread by unreliable and unscientific news and rumours being circulated. The Telangana government is therefore reportedly contemplating to put a counselling mechanism in place to counsel and give confidence to those health workers who register for the COVID-19 vaccine but withdraw due to alleged fears.

Calling on the medical fraternity to dispel those fears, he said it is they who can clear the air and suggested they use social media and mass media to spread awareness about the efficacy of the vaccine.

In his talk the Telengana health minister referred to the use of penicillin, which has saved millions of lives over the past years since its first use in 1928, yet there are still checks if there are any reactions before it is given. He also reminded attendees that Penicillin G procaine, that is given by injection into a muscle, is approved to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body and has been in use since 1928. But, even though there are reports about common allergic reactions to penicillin including rashes, hives, itchy eyes, and swollen lips, tongue, or face, it continues to be in use.

Moving to mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, the Telengana health minister mentioned that no one knows exactly how it behaves. While it behaves differently in different countries and environments, the Minister reminded that like all vaccines, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before being authorised for use.

He made the point that mRNA technology is new, but not unknown. “As far as what I gathered from the experts is that mRNA from the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell and does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA. It may not be a 100 per cent efficacy vaccine. But it serves the purpose and gives bharosa (confidence).”

Eatala Rajendra went on to say that if anybody has any doubts, they can consult their doctors, experts before taking the vaccine as they are the best people to give that confidence to the people.

He assured listeners that the government and also as suggested by the organiser of the talk Prakash Ammanabolu, President, TSFCCT, Telangana Government, will play its role to create confidence in the people about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and dispel their alleged fears.

Opining that Telangana has fared well on all fronts be it recovery, curtailing deaths, we continue to strive hard, shared the Minister. “From the perception of compulsory death, if a person contracts COVID-19, we have reached the stage that nothing will happen. But, this journey has been hard and tough, and it was possible due to everyone’s effort,” said Eatala Rajender, as per the release.

The talk was a continuation of similar engagements with experts and ministers, arranged by the TSFCCT, a professional body of 11 lakh traders in the state of Telangana, which was reporteldy hit very hard due to the pandemic.