If it is the archers one day, it is the rowers on another day. And the latest one hears is some table tennis players taking the jab. Indeed, every day one reads about Indian athletes getting vaccinated against Covid-19.
As the pandemic rages again, India included, there is a sense of panic amongst all. That is understandable as the virus spares none, including those who have taken the Covishield or Covaxin jabs – legally.
It is wrong to think that by following the protocol of vaccination — two shots — antibodies will be formed, and one can escape attack by various strains of the Corona virus. That is why there is need for greater caution among athletes as the Sports Ministry, National Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association have not issued yet any issued advisory.
Every day one reads reports of athletes getting infected in camps in SAI Centres. From Patiala to Bengaluru, Bhopal and other camps, the athletes are facing the brunt. The same goes for the Indian Premier League stars as well and their support staff as Mumbai has been battered by the virus.
These days, everyone has a view on the vaccines. Each one has a take on it, almost as if he or she is a domain expert. Even as the International Olympic Committee has not issued any formal advisory that vaccination is a must, athletes are a confused lot.
Take, for example the men’s tennis tour, run by the ATP. They have said that if players have followed the vaccine protocol, it is like a bio passport of sorts. However, the ATP or the WTA has not insisted that the players must take the Covid-19 vaccine. In fact, some like Novak Djokovic, himself a victim of Covid-19 last year, has resisted the vaccine.
One is not sure how the Indian athletes are taking the shot. One could argue that vaccines are a must for sporting camps being held in Army campuses. However, one is not sure if these vaccines are being given in a proper way as the Indian government protocol is very clear – Vaccine for only above 45.
There are unconfirmed reports of many Indians having travelled to the UAE for taking the Chinese vaccine. How safe these vaccines are debatable but certainly the Indian athletes need to be more cautious.
Having spoken to doctors and Health Ministry officials and senior sports administrators, it is clear is there is no official nod for the vaccine for athletes. In fact, IOA has asked IOC and WADA for clarity. There is also lack of clarity in this topic from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) as well. It should be at the forefront of advising Indian athletes but has preferred to stay mum.
As of now, both the vaccines being given in India, Covaxin and Covishield, have not been cleared for use by the athletes. The hurry to get vaccinated is understandable. Athletes are training and competing and, ostensibly, they cannot do this wearing masks. Many players who have tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 are worried. But then, not all are in a rush to take the jab.
Without the vaccine, Indian athletes are flying abroad for competitions like the Olympic qualifiers, Billie Jean Cup, motorsports, All England Badminton Championships and other events. Legally, none of the players have taken the jab.
Those athletes who have taken the vaccine in a hurry do not stand to gain anything. If they are going to Tokyo for the Olympics, they will still be tested every second day as is the case in Bio Bubbles created for a multitude of sport. Tokyo will be very strict and athletes fear the repeated testing may drain them emotionally.
The routine for players is repeated testing, be it RAT (rapid antigen testing) or the RTPCR, which is more sensitive. Each elite athlete has been tested over a dozen times and that could be the process in months to come.
Anjum Moudgil and other elite shooters have been tested over a dozen times. The vaccine may not be 100 per cent guarantee against contracting the virus, but mentally it will help the athletes feel more secure.
One hopes, as India deals with the Second Wave, the government, after due diligence, can ensure elite athletes can get vaccinated. That, however, should be subject to government collecting data on people below 45 getting the shot and seeing the response.
Last heard, Japan has decided to vaccinate all its Olympic athletes on a priority basis, according to various media reports.