A joint webinar organized by Lucknow University and UNICEF to answer queries of students around vaccination....

Students of Lucknow University learnt about COVID vaccination and post vaccination precautions from experts on Friday. A webinar was jointly organized by Lucknow University and UNICEF to answer queries of students around vaccination and motivate them to follow COVID Appropriate Behaviours.

Dr NK Arora, Member National AEFI Committee, New Delhi interacted with students and told them about the importance of vaccination in ensuring protection from severe diseases and transmission.

He said, "It is necessary to follow all COVID Appropriate Behaviours and get vaccinated so that we can overcome the pandemic. The more people get vaccinated, the more it prevents transmission of the virus." He also emphaised on ensuring all precautions including mask and distancing at the vaccination sites also. Dr Arora answered the queries of students about COVID vaccination and fears/ myths associated with the same during an interactive session.

An overview of the COVID pandemic was shared with students by Dr Ashutosh Agrawal, OSD Routine Immunization WHO. In times when many people with mild symptoms are isolating at home, Dr Kanupriya Singhal, Health Specialist UNICEF discussed about safe home isolation with students. She talked about the precautions that can be followed by asymptomatic patients at home. Dr Kanupriya said, "We should follow doctor's advice during home isolation and not indulge in any self medications.

Those living alone should not home isolate." Dr Kanupriya emphasized on the use of triple layer surgical mask or an N95 mask for home isolation patients and caregivers and urged students to consult a doctor for dip in SPO2 levels below 94% or any other complication immediately during home isolation.

Dr Praful Bharadwaj, Health Officer UNICEF, "Fully vaccinated people are less likely to be infected and even if they contact infection, it are very little chances of it getting severe. "

Monisha Banerjee, Dean Research, Lucknow University said, " Vaccines are a prevention strategy, if developed now, can give people immunity from future outbreaks."

Students took an e shapath and pledged their commitment to vaccination and encouraging COVID Appropriate Behaviours. Students were encouraged to register themselves for COVID vaccination and promote their family members and friends for vaccination. Amit Mehrotra, Progarmme Manager UNICEF thanked the participants and urged youngsters to champion the cause of public awareness and support to the vaccination drive. The webinar was joined by over 200 students and nearly 1000 students connected on Youtube.

Aradhana Maurya