Ministry Of Health And Family Welfare Clarifies COVID-19 Vaccines Myth Vs Facts

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday clarified many facts and myths regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and said that the number of deaths reported following vacc ination in the country is only 0.0002 per cent of 23.5 crore doses administered.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine Covishield: India Will Revisit Dosage Interval Based On Emerging Data

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration

Myth- Pre-registration for vaccination through online registration and prior booking of appointment is mandatory to avail of vaccination services.

Fact- No pre-registration for vaccination is mandatory. Anyone, aged 18 years or more, can directly go to the nearest vaccination centre where the vaccinator performs the on-site registration and provides vaccination in the same visit depending on slot availability.

COVID Vaccination In Rural Areas

Myth- There are limited facilities for on-site or facilities registration for COVID vaccination in rural areas.

Fact- There are many modes of registration in rural areas. This includes facilitated registration through CSCs on Co-Win, facilitators (health workers or ASHAs) for on-site registration and vaccination directly at the nearest vaccination centres and assisted registrations through the 1075 helpline.

Also Read: ‘Near Home’ Vaccination Centres For Elderly, Differently-Abled For Simplifying Inoculation Process: Government

Digital Divide In Vaccination Drive

Myth- There is a rural-urban gap and digital divide in vaccination drive as rural areas trails urban areas.

Fact- Out of 1.03 lakh COVID vaccination centre (CVCs), 61,842 CVCs- SHC, PHC and CHCs (59.7 per cent) are in rural areas where people can directly walk0in for on-site registration and vaccination (from May 1, 2021, till June 12, 2021) Out of 69,995 vaccination centres so far classified on CoWIN, 71 per cent (49,883) centres are located in rural areas.

Vaccination Coverage In Tribal Areas

Myth- There is a lack of vaccination coverage in tribal areas

Fact- As per the data available on CoWIN as of June 3, 2021 Vaccination per million population in tribal districts is higher than the national average 128 out of 176 tribal districts are performing better than all India vaccination coverage. More walk-in vaccination are happening in tribal districts as compared to the national average.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage: Tribal Districts Performing Better Than National Average, Says Union Health Ministry

Case Of Severe AEFI

Myth- There have been some media reports suggesting an increase in the case of severe Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) which have also resulted in ‘succumbing of patients’ post-vaccination

Fact- These reports are bases on an incomplete and limited understanding of the matter, it may be noted that the term “succumbed” implies causality. Any death following vaccination cannot be automatically assumed to be due to vaccination unless investigated by the AEFO committees and attributed to the vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccination Death

Myth- There have been some media reports claiming that 488 deaths following vaccination are linked to post-COVID complications during January 16, 2021, and June 7, 2021

Fact- The number of deaths reported following vaccination in the country is only 0.0002 per cent of 23.5 crore doses administered. The mortality rate for those testing positive is over 1 per cent and vaccination can prevent these deaths. Therefore, the risk of dying following vaccination is negligible compared to the risk of dying due to COVID-19.

Also Read: Any Death Or Hospitalisation Following COVID-19 Vaccination Cannot Be Automatically Assumed To Be Due To Vaccination: Centre

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.