Summary:
Kolkata, Sept 18 (PTI) A sizeable number of transgenders in West Bengal are yet to get the COVID-19 jab, the primary reasons being fear and mistrust among them about its impact owing to lack of clinical trial on them till date, experts said on Saturday.
Transgenders undergo several surgeries as well as hormonal treatments and there has been no trial so far to see whether COVID-19 vaccines have any adverse impact due to it, they said.
Even threats of social boycott, taking away benefits of social schemes and of even stopping monthly rations could not force them to take the vaccine, several transgenders from across West Bengal said.
"A big chunk of the transgender community is yet to take the vaccine.
This is because they are confused and have medical mistrust since no clinical trial was conducted," clinical trial specialist and pharmacologist Subhrojyoti Bhowmick told PTI.
Since the transgenders undergo treatments like hormonal therapy, breast implant, vaginoplasty (construction or reconstruction of the vagina), mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts), a trial is necessary before they are administered the vaccine, he said.