Ad hoc vaccinations to stop; health officials to get tough

Following complaints that several people who were not under the ‘vulnerable groups’ had received the Astra Zeneca vaccinations against COVID-19 in recent days, health officials at a meeting yesterday decided to get tough and strictly implement the programme according to the groups officially allocated.

A senior health official told the Daily Mirror yesterday that since the vaccination programme had opened out, especially to the vulnerable groups in the Western Province this week, several individuals who were not under the ‘vulnerable group’ had received the vaccination, eventually leaving out those who urgently require it.

Following these complaints, health officials have decided to implement the programme strictly from today and will begin to vaccinate those above the age of 60 years who are on the third priority list. Vaccination programmes will also begin among the workforce aged 30 to 60 as they are said to be the worst affected by the COVID-19 while the highest mortality rate was reported among those above the age of 60.

Meanwhile, health officials have insisted that despite being vaccinated, the transmission of the COVID-19 virus would not halt and people were urged to practice all health guidelines.

Officials said there was a possibility that a vaccinated person could contract the virus again but the vaccine would help develop the antibodies to fight the virus within.

“Therefore we urge people to strictly adhere to the health guidelines even after being vaccinated and urge everyone to get vaccinated once the vaccines are available,” the official said. (JAMILA HUSAIN)