Health Minister Rishikeshbhai Patel has refuted claims of heart attacks among the youth due to COVID vaccine side effects as baseless and untrue. He emphasized that the vaccine has no such side effects, with over 250 crore doses administered in the country.
Responding to questions about the JN1 variant of COVID-19 in Ahmedabad city and district, the minister stated that as of January 31, 2024, 80 patients were treated in Ahmedabad city. The government has implemented precautionary measures, providing treatment at patients’ homes and government hospitals when needed.
The Health Minister explained that health teams conducted house-to-house visits, testing suspected patients, and providing medications as required. The state government follows a comprehensive strategy of “Test-Track-Treatment-Vaccination-COVID Appropriate Behavior” to prevent the disease. Advanced treatment is offered to identified patients through an integrated disease surveillance program, with 207 approved laboratories for COVID-19 testing in the state, including 111 government and 96 private laboratories. Adequate medicines and equipment are available in all health centers, coupled with public awareness campaigns on dos and don’ts.