Tamil Nadu: Man 'Gets Second Dose Of Vaccine 5 Months After Death', Says SMS From CoWin App

Selvaraj was infected with novel coronavirus and later he died due to the infection without responding to treatment on May 15.

A man using CoWin portal (Image for representation)

Chennai: The family of a deceased man in Trichy was shocked to receive a message stating that the deceased person received the second dose of Covishield vaccine at a Primary Healthcare Center in Trichy during the seventh mega vaccination drive held in the state on Saturday. Following this, the family alleged that the credentials of the deceased people is used to show an increase in the vaccination drive and demanded district authorities to look into the matter. 

According to a report on Times of India, Selvaraj Govindhachettiyar from Bescho Street in Woraiyur of Tiruchy district took his first dose of Covishield vaccine at MGMGH on April 28. However, Selvaraj was infected with novel coronavirus and later he died due to the infection without responding to treatment on May 15. 

After nearly 5 months, the family on Saturday received a message from the state Health Department stating that Selvaraj received a second dose of vaccine during the seventh mass vaccination camp from a mini-clinic in Trichy. The state held a mass vaccine drive on Saturday where the district health officials inoculated 17.1 lakh members in the state. 

On seeing the message, the family members raised a suspicion over misuse of Selvaraj's personal details to increase the vaccine drive. 

However, A Subramani, the Deputy director of health service told TOI that the message was a to a clerical mistake in the COWin app while updating the mobile number. He also said that the state does not have the intention to show increased vaccine numbers.