PANAJI
The seafarer community in Goa may be in a rude shock since Covaxin doesn't find mention in WHO's Emergency Use Listing.
Speaking to The Goan, a seafarer from Cuncolim disclosed that he is informed by his US-based cruise company that those who have taken the Covaxin shot would not be considered for the rejoining process which is underway.
If Covaxin is not going to be accepted internationally, then the Central government will have to intervene, he said, adding that some may abstain from the second dose and go to the extent of vaccinating again overseas to save their jobs.
While Goa government is using Covishield in its vaccination drives across the State till now, private hospitals have recently begun giving Covaxin doses.
Meanwhile, the extension of the gap between two doses of Covishield, from the initial 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks has thrown a new dilemma at seafarers. This means that those who had scheduled their rejoining based on the second dose will have to renegotiate with their companies.
"Those who have fed vaccination info into the database of companies will have no other option, but to seek postponement of rejoining, or could even lose their job", a seafarer from Curtorim told The Goan.
