MARGAO
After much delay, vaccination for the second anti-Covid dose for the seafarers and other categories finally became a reality as the changes brought about by the Centre reflected on the portal on Sunday evening. Soon after, a couple of seafarers headed to the vaccination centres to take the second dose
on Monday.
Nodal officer for the vaccination at the TB hospital, Dr Ira Almeida informed that a seafarer who had come with a letter from the sub-divisional Magistrate, Margao, was administered the second anti-Covid dose.
A couple of seafarers, who visited the TB hospital without the certificates from the office of Deputy Collector, were told to produce the same before being administered the second dose.
Sources informed that with the vaccination for the seafarers and others working abroad, besides students, finally becoming a reality, several seafarers were believed to have visited the office of the Deputy Collector, Margao, Jyoti Kumari, who has been appointed as the competent authority to issue permissions for the second dose.
South Goa District Collector, Ruchika Katyal, IAS, had appointed all the Deputy Collectors in the South Goa district as the competent authorities for according permission within their jurisdiction for administration of the second dose of Covishield as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
It may be recalled that last week many seafarers had to return home disappointed from health centres as they failed to get the second dose.
Health officials told them that the process had not started yet and that they could take the dose after the government announces the schedule.
In fact, the seafarers, students and those heading abroad for employment were anxious and were hoping to get the much-needed second dose.
A group of seafarers, who had approached the health centres for the second dose before 84 days, realized that the health officials had received no communique from the head office.
The Goan Seamen Association of India had expressed his displeasure and said around 500 seafarers were anxiously waiting to avail the second dose and urged the government to hurry in the matter.
