Doctor Took 5 COVID-19 Vaccine Shots, Government Records Show; Investigation Underway

A doctor in India has allegedly received five COVID-19 vaccine shots, evading the only three jab rule in the country, according to government records. However, the medical professional has denied the claims, alleging fraud.

Authorities in the northern state of Bihar launched an investigation into the Patna-based civil surgeon vaccination history.

Dr Vibha Kumari Singh told authorities she had only taken the three jabs as per the rules. She also claimed someone else managed to get the other two vaccines using her personal details provided in her PAN card, an official identification provided for the citizens.

According to the CoWIN portal, which is the government platform to register for vaccination, she received the first dose on Jan. 28, 2021, and was fully vaccinated by March last year. The records showed Singh was also jabbed on Feb. 6, 2021, using her PAN card information, and for the fourth time on June 17 that year. She then took a precautionary dose on Jan. 13, 2022.

Singh expressed her shock over the incident, and said she got fully vaccinated last year and took her third booster dose this month using her Aadhar card – a 12-digit number that is provided by the Unique Identification Authority of India – as identity proof, India Today reported.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said Monday the administration has started an investigation. “Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said, according to NDTV.

In India, those above the age of 15 years are eligible to take two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. After the increase in the number of COVID cases this year since the Omicron variant was found, the government allowed frontline workers and anyone above the age of 60 with comorbidities to get a third booster dose.

Earlier this month, an 84-year-old man from the same state caused a stir after he admitted to taking 11 COVID-19 vaccine shots. The man, identified as Brahmadev Mandal, said he benefited a lot from the vaccinations. However, after a formal complaint was filed against him, he fled and also threatened to kill himself if punished.

On Tuesday, India reported 238,000 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, 7 percent lower than Monday, as the positivity rate dropped from 19.65 percent to 14.43 per cent.