Read: Experience of Surinder Singal inoculated in Covishield vaccination trial
"Despite being on regular BP & Sugar medicines I had no side effects. The vaccine is safe"
Sixty-six-year-old volunteer in the Oxford Serum Covishield vaccination trial vouches for the vaccine, allays fears
Chandigarh, Jan 15, 2020. There is good news for those having apprehensions about the effectiveness as well as side effects that might come about after inoculation with the Oxford University & Serum Institute, Pune Covishield vaccine. The anti-COVID 19 vaccination drive is to begin on Jan 16.
"There is no need to panic or feel apprehensive. The vaccine is safe. I am on regular BP and Sugar medicines and I had no side effects. It has been 4 months since I was administered the doses and am 100 percent fine,” said 60-year-old old Surinder Singal Barnala. Singal's statement bears significance as he has undergone the trial of the same vaccine which has now arrived in Chandigarh.
Surinder Singal Barnala who lives in Sec 20, Panchkula, and is the son of a freedom fighter further said, "I have volunteered for the 6 month Oxford Serum Covishield Vaccine trial in September 2020 and received both the doses of the vaccine at PGIMER's Nehru Hospital. I developed no reactions or complications after the administrations."
Singal said that he had seen an advertisement calling for volunteers for the vaccination in its 6 month-long trials. Singal registered for the same without informing his family. Singal was called to PGI on Sep 28 where he went through a full-body test and was given the vaccination on Sep 30 after this he was asked to rest for 30 minutes.
He was then given a diary to note down any changes he felt that is happening in his body in the next 28 days. Singal added, "I am thankful to my granddaughter Sara who used to do a daily check of any changes that I witnessed and used to put remarks in the diary."
Singal was again called after 28 days for administering the second dose of the vaccine and after a body checkup, he was given the second dose on October 28. After this, he was called by PGIMER on November 25 for a body check. Thereafter PGI did a regular follow-up with Singal to know if any problems were being witnessed by him.
Surinder Singal Barnala further said, "When I told my wife Sudha that I had undergone the vaccine trial and showed her the diary she was shocked. It was then that other relatives also started calling me saying why did you take the risk. But I want to tell everyone that the vaccine is safe. "