Karnataka: Professionals, students abroad travel held up awaiting vaccination certificate

Bengaluru: 38-year-old Milton (name changed), a seafarer waiting for months to report to work on a Gulf-based shipping vessel, got a sigh of relief as the Karnataka government decided to open up vaccination on priority for those seeking employment abroad.

He rushed to a special camp at Bengaluru City University and took the second dose. However, he is still held up as he awaits his vaccination certificate. “If I get the certificate, I can fly out. I’m not sure when that happens” he said.

About 157 foreign bound working professionals and students travel plans are on hold as they await the vaccination certificate. Covishield was administered to both categories, including those seeking a second dose after a 28-day gap. None who took 2nd dose got a vaccine certificate

A vaccination drive at the university campus was organised by the government for students and employees heading abroad. While BBMP officials claimed the impasse is because CoWin does not recognise second doses given before the now specified 84-day gap, a senior bureaucrat announced that the issue was rectified on Sunday to accommodate the category of vaccine recipients.

Under the new guidelines, the gap between two doses of Covishield is 84 days. However, students and professionals were allowed by the state to take the second dose after 28 days so as not to hinder their travel plans if the nations they are visiting insist on a vaccination certificate.

The vaccination drive for 1,470 students and professionals was conducted between June 1 and 11. While all those who took their first dose got their certificate, none of the 158 persons who took their second dose had got it.

Lingaraju Gandhi, vice-chancellor, Bengaluru City University said, “The second certificate will be issued by registering on CoWin with a different phone number (belonging to the person or any family member) and not the one used earlier for the registration. We’ve collected and verified their data to ensure there are no errors. We will share details with BBMP. ”

BBMP officials admitted to the issue. An official said, “The CoWin glitch was explained to the beneficiaries before the drive. Some became panicky, have been repeatedly asking about the certificate. The issue is being sorted out.”

Another source said, “Registering with a different mobile number could show different date of vaccination than from the actual. The certificate may show the day of second registration as that of vaccination.” A BBMP officer said a similar problem could be faced by those who have taken the first dose in the drive.