SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Thursday demanded clarification from Health Ministry with regards to the recommendation made by the National Technical Advisory Group on immunisation (NTAGI).
“There are reports that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has stated that those having laboratory tests proven SARS-COV-2 illness should defer COVID vaccine for six months after recovery. This means that it is now necessary to do COVID test before taking the vaccine. Health Ministry must clarify on this immediately," said Kamat.
Kamat also pointed out that the advisory group on the COVID vaccines has recommended increasing the gap from 12 to 16 weeks between two doses of Covishield.
He said that NTAGI has also suggested that pregnant women may be offered the choice to take any COVID vaccine and that lactating women can be inoculated after delivery.
“Although, the recommendations of the NTAGI will be sent to the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration, it is important that decisions are taken fast as we are already running out of time in the second wave of pandemic,” said Kamat.
"As per the recommendation of NTAGI, the government will have to ramp up the testing facilities everywhere. COVID tests only will enable whether a person who wants to take a vaccine can go for it immediately or will have to wait for six months after recovery. There needs to be more clarity on the exact recovery period timeline," he stated.
Kamat urged the government to come out with an action plan on testing as well as vaccination.
“The State government must constitute a task force to handle COVID management. We need to have experts who can monitor testing as well as vaccination effectively. I have already urged the government to set up testing and vaccination facilities at every panchayat and municipal level which will reduce the pressure on district hospitals as well as GMC,” said Leader of Opposition.
