Mumbai: Lack of information, poor internet access are among major issues that have made it difficult for the trans community to get vaccinated. Indrajeet Ghorpade, a social worker who runs Yes We Exist, an online LGBTQIA awareness platform said, the biggest issue is because the vaccination process is still digital.
"Registration through the app is impossible as many do not have smart phones. Those who have, do not have an internet pack. Many are illiterate, they don't know how to use these browsers effectively. So all of these is definitely creating a hurdle," he said.
"Also the vaccines which are getting available for people below 45 years of age are paid ones. The trans community has already been under cash crunch due to no income in last year. The central government relief is nearly Rs 1,500 which does not even cover their one month house rent/ration. So that's another challenge because even if one is registered who is going to pay for their vaccines," he added.
Also until vaccines are not made available in sufficient quantity nothing can be done, he asserted.
While another major concern among transgenders is the effects of vaccine on those who have underlying health conditions. Transgender Activist Priya Patil, who is also a state unit head of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cell said, "A lot of awareness needs to be done. As many are resisting to take the vaccines fearing it might have side effects on their health. Especially those who are HIV positive as many of the transgenders are engaged in sex work. Also those who are taking hormone therapy. Solution to all this problems, is to conduct special vaccination drives and create awareness."
Doctor Ishwar Gilada, consultant for HIV and infectious diseases, and president of the AIDS Society of India (ASI) said that a circular has already been issued informing HIV patients that there is no harm in taking Covid-19 vaccine. "Those who have HIV and are on regular treatment have nothing to worry. They are as good as any healthy person. And nothing would effect even if they take vaccine. Only problem will arise if a Positive HIV patient is not following the treatment regularly and is suffering from other disease like TB etc."
Recently, a webinar was also held on topic of Covid-19 vaccination among PLHIV by Dr. Gilada through Organised Medicine Academic Guild-OMAG, a federation of 15 medical associations in India with 250,000 post graduate doctors as its membership.
