Several COVID vaccination centres in Karnataka denied menstruating women COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to several reports.
Such incidents were reported in at least three districts - Raichur, Belagavi, and Bidar.
According to reports, health workers in Raichur told women that taking a vaccine would result in excessive flow during periods and fatigue, urging them to take the jab once their periods end.
However, Raichur Deputy Commissioner R Venkatesh Kumar said there was no such directive from the government and "women are being administered vaccines".
However, doctors and health experts have issued several advisories dismissing myths and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. While the vaccine dose may result in infrequency in the menstrual cycle, it will cause no long term effects assured the doctors.
While the government quashed the rumours around vaccinating menstruating women and stated stated that women can take COVID-19 vaccines during their periods without any worries.
"The vaccine can be taken during menstrual periods. This is no reason to postpone vaccination," Dr. VK Paul, the government's top official overseeing the COVID-19 handling, had earlier said.