Docs at Covaxin centres apprehensive of efficacy, many opting out
New Delhi: Doctors at three major Central Government-run hospitals in the national capital offered mixed opinions about receiving Bharat Biotech indigenous Covaxin vaccine, which has been granted emergency approval but has not yet completed phase-3 clinical trials.
At Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, where some resident doctors had earlier written asking for a choice between Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield (which has completed trials), the RDA stands divided on the issue.
Dr Nirmalya Mohapatra, Senior Resident and Vice President of the hospital's RDA said that residents are apprehensive about being vaccinated with Covaxin because it has not yet completed phase 3 clinical trials. "However, we are in no way boycotting Covaxin. In fact, many residents and other RML healthcare workers have volunteered to have Covaxin administered to themselves. We merely ask that those who are hesitant about Covaxin should at least be given a choice between the two."
The earlier letter written by RML residents asking to be given a choice between the two vaccines was not official and was not signed by the RDA president, another doctor added.
On the other hand, Dr Manish, President of Safdarjung Hospital's RDA said "Unlike RML, we are happy to be administered with the Covaxin vaccine. Those who do not want to be vaccinated are opting out of it since it is a voluntary procedure, but there is no demand to be given a choice of Covishield also. I myself will be happy to volunteer and receive the vaccine when my turn comes."
Dr Adarsh Pratap Singh, RDA President at AIIMS, who is himself part of phase 3 clinical trials for Covaxin and therefore has not yet gotten vaccinated himself, said: "AIIMS Residents also want a choice between the two vaccines and the RDA may write to concerned authorities regarding the same very soon."
"There is not much hesitation or apprehension about Covaxin among healthcare workers here. Of course, there are some who are not completely convinced of Covaxin's efficacy," he said.
But as per sources, eight vaccinations were done at AIIMS, 20 in Safdarjung Hospital and 69 healthcare workers were vaccinated at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on Monday.
At AIIMS, an official source said, it was related to multiple factors, including apprehensions of adverse events and late notifications through the Co-WIN app.
"Also, those who had refused on Saturday were again included in the list and they did not turn up again on Monday," the source said.
