'My Antibody Count Is 300': Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij Says No To Second Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

The Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij tweeted he will not get inoculated as he does not need it. He said that after contracting Covid-19, his antibody count has reached 300, which is a lot.

Anil Vij (Getty Images)

India on Monday flagged of the second phase of its ongoing vaccination drive against the novel Coronavirus. Several high-profile politicians, leaders and ministers incliding Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the first Covid 19 vaccination shot today. PM Modi was administered the first dose of home-grown Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech while the second dose will be given in 28 days. 

After receiving the vaccine, Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter saying "Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19. I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!”

Around the same time, the Haryana Health Minister tweeted he will not get inoculated as he does not need it. In a Hindi post, Vij said, "The vaccination programme is being opened for the people today. There should be hesitation in people regarding getting vaccinated. However, I will not be able to receive a dose as after contracting Covid-19, my antibody count has reached 300, which is a lot. The trials vaccine may also have a role to play in this. So, I don't need the vaccine right now." 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="hi" dir="ltr">आज आम जनता के लिए कोरोना वैक्सीन शुरू होने जा रही है । सब को निस्संकोच लगवानी चाहिए । मैं तो नही लगवा पाऊंगा क्योंकि कोविड होने के बाद मेरी एंटीबाडी 300 बनी है जोकि बहुत ज्यादा है । शायद मैंने जो ट्रायल वैक्सीन लगवाई थी इसमे उसका भी योगदान हो । मुझे अभी वैक्सीन की जरूरत नही है ।</p>&mdash; ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) <a href="https://twitter.com/anilvijminister/status/1366205492842782723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel='nofollow'>March 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It is pertinent to mention the minister was administered a trial dose of Bharat Biotech's coronavirus vaccine 'Covaxin' in November last year at an Ambala hospital. Vij had offered to be the first volunteer for the third phase trial of Covaxin. 

However, within 15 days of him being administered a trial dose of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, the minister was found to be infected with the Coronavirus. 

This soon triggered a debate as people were not confident about the vaccine though the minister explained that  antibodies against the infection build up in a human being only after a specific number of days pass after the second dose of the vaccine is taken, since this is a two-dose vaccine.