Pelezoto Pius Kikhi
Dimapur
With reference to the order on testing of healthcare workers who have not been vaccinated, every 15 days as and when they report for duty, in local dailies dated July 14, 2021, I would like to share some personal concerns.
1. As per the FAQs in the website of Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, manufacturer of COVISHIELD(https://www.seruminstitute.com/health_faq_covishield.php):
1.1. Sl. no. 33. “Yes, no vaccine is 100% protective. People can get COVID-19 even after vaccination. However, the vaccination will help protect them from developing severe disease. Kindly note that people who get vaccinated should continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19 after they are vaccinated.”
1.2. Sl. no. 36. “The duration of protection has not yet been established”.
1.3. COVISHIELD Fact sheet
(https://www.seruminstitute.com/pdf/covishield_fact_sheet.pdf) “The COVISHIELD™ is a vaccine and may prevent you from getting COVID-19 disease.”(https://www.bharatbiotech.com/images/covaxin/covaxin-factsheet2.pdf).
2. Vaccinated people now make up almost 47% of all new Covid cases, symptom-tracking app claims amid signs Britain’s third Covid wave may have peaked already.15 July, 2021.(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9790999/Symptom-tracking-app-claims-number-people-falling-ill-virus-day-FALLEN.html)
3. Brits fully-vaccinated with AstraZeneca's Covid jab may be up to THREE TIMES more likely to get symptoms if infected than those who got Pfizer's, say SAGE estimates.15 July, 2021.(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9791983/Up-Brits-doubled-jabbed-AstraZeneca-Covid-symptoms-compared-Pfizer.html)
4. Nagaland Post, dated July 5,2021, “Covid Vax 8 times less effective against Delta variant”.
5. Nagaland Post, dated June 25, 2021, “How effective are the vaccines against various variants”.
However, in contrast to the links mentioned above, the department order appears to convey the message that a fully vaccinated healthcare worker will not get infected.
Hence, inevitably would it not be right to assume that:
• The healthcare workers who received only the first dose must also undergo test every 15 days for the safety of the patient, co-workers and community?
• All Covid positive In-patients must be tested negative prior to discharge for the safety of the patient, co-workers and community?
• All non-vaccinated citizens of Nagaland must undergo the test every 15daysto ensure the safety of patients, co-workers and community?
Recalling similar case where The Gauhati High Court held the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Mizoram Government on June 29, 2021 restricting the unvaccinated persons from earning their livelihood arbitrary and not in consonance with the provisions of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
The Meghalaya High Court order said that, “Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses within its fold the right to health as a fundamental right."By that same analogy, the right to health care, which includes vaccination, is a fundamental right. However, vaccination by force or being made mandatory by adopting coercive methods vitiates the very fundamental purpose of the welfare attached to it.”(http://meghalayahighcourt.nic.in/sites/default/files//pil62021.pdf)
I would like to clarify that I am not anti-vaxxer, only that I am not willing to take an experimental vaccine issued for emergency use which does not protect me fully from getting infected. I sincerely hope that I am not denied my right through coercive methods, to force me into vaccinating which is not mandatory.
