Amid an alarming rise in cases of Covid-19 infection, many Ranchi residents have tested positive for the viral infection even after taking the second jab of the vaccine, but most displayed mild symptoms.

But some, like Seema Choudhury, did complain of severe symptoms. “I took the second jab on April 11. I had mild fever and weakness for a few days, which I thought were side effects of the vaccine,” she said, adding that her symptoms gradually aggravated .

A resident of Ratu Road, Choudhury tested positive for Covid-19 hardly 10 days after receiving the second jab of Covishield vaccine at a private hospital in Ranchi. She said she was battling weakness and fever, and was also suffering from shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest due to formation of patches in her lungs. Seema is currently in home isolation.

The FAQ shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare claims it would take two to three weeks for an individual to develop sufficient antibodies after completing the vaccination course. However, it is unclear whether infection during this period could lead to severe symptoms or not, say doctors.

Doctors spearheading the vaccination programme, however, claim that vaccinated individuals are unlikely to show severe symptoms of the virus even if they get infected.

“You can still get infected by Covid-19 even after taking both the vaccine jabs. However, the symptoms would be less severe and the infection will not be life-threatening,” said Dr Ajit Prasad, the state immunisation officer, who is qurantined at home after testing positive for the virus.

As per government data, more than 24 lakh Jharkhand residents have received the first dose of the vaccine so far. Of them, over 3.74 lakh have received the second jab.

A city-based doctor associated with the Union government also tested positive for Covid-19 a week after taking the first jab of the vaccine. “I knew that I could get infected even after vaccination. I regularly took all the medicines for Covid-19 and tested negative after 15 days. The symptoms were minor,” he said, requesting anonymity.

So far, the response to the vaccination drive has not been enthusisastic among those above 45 years, reveals government data. As per NHM, only about 24 per cent of the over 83 lakh such residents registered for the jabs have received their first dose. Around 40 per cent of the over 2.34 lakh people above the age of 45 years, who were registered for the vaccination, have got their second jab as well.