Kolkata: The doctor’s section in the city utilizes extra doses in each covishield bottle to not officially take third shots because they are afraid of swimming in their covid immunity more than eight months after they receive two scheduled jabs.
These medical staff seek hospital help they attach for this purpose.
The hospital is also happy with the arrangement because it has helped some of their front doctors who Covid returned to work without worrying.
The National Technical Advisory Group on immunization (NTagi) has not made a decision about the third dose in this country.
Private hospitals, where more than a dozen doctors simultaneously tested positive for Covid during the first wave, have helped some doctors serving in Covid Wards to get the third dose over the past two months.
All of these drugs have completed their vaccination in April and the test has shown a decrease at their antibody level.
“They are worried about their immune and fear of being infected because they have worked continuously in the Covid ward,” said a senior doctor at the hospital.
‘The third jab must be a new one, changed to fight senior Omicron’a doctor at the hospital saying that some doctors get their antibody level checked, and it shows a decline.
“So, they have taken the 11th dose that the Vial Covishield contains, allows us to overcome the rules.
It has freeed them from their worries and helps them serve patients more efficiently,” he added.
The Association of East Indian Hospital (AHEI) plans to write to the center seeking the third dose for health workers.
“We have enough vaccines in stock now and they must be used to protect our frontline soldiers,” said President Ahei Rupak Barua, also the CEO of the Amri Hospital.
Some hospitals also plan to use Covaxin and Covaxin Vials which are close to their expiration date for the third dose of ‘unofficial’.
“It makes sense to use it to a doctor who needs protection, rather than wasting it,” said a hospital doctor at Em Bypass.
The Institute of Post-Postgraduate Medical Education & Research Professor Diplipendra Sarkar, however, was not very sure of the third-dose efficacy.
“There is no evidence of the longevity of antibodies produced by existing vaccines.
In addition, vaccines also produce T cells, cells and memory that offer protection.
So, it is not clear whether the third vaccine of the same type will make a difference.
When we Already have a new variant circulating, “said Sarkar.
According to the microbiologist of the Peerless Hospital Narayan Chowdhury Hospital, the third jab must be new, changed to fight new tensions.
“Any vaccine will provide protection but now with Omicron in prey, the third shot must be designed to prevent it.
So, the third dose is not official from the old vaccine may not help at this stage,” he said.