NAGPUR: Despite the third dose being allowed to all above 60 people irrespective of their co-morbid status, not many have turned up to take vaccines in the last 11 days. Doctors said the neglect and poor response towards vaccination can be dangerous.
As per the Cowin dashboard, 1,01,019 have taken the precautionary dose in Nagpur district till date. These include health workers, front line workers and 60+ senior citizens. In the last 12 days, since the precautionary dose was allowed for all 60+ people, only 6,146 people have taken the third dose. At least 10 times the people than this number have already completed the 9-month period after getting the second dose and are now eligible for the third. But they are not finding time to visit the vaccination centre and get the precautionary jab.
Contrary to the second wave, when vaccines were in short supply and takers had to wait for the doses, vaccines are available in surplus now but there are no takers.
“We have enough stock of doses of both Covishield and Covaxin. Stock is available for the second dose, booster dose and additional stock of Covaxin for the 15-18 age-group. The administration has been repeatedly appealing to people to take the vaccine,” said NMC’s epidemic officer Dr Gowardhan Navkhare.
According to the doctors who work in the field, the fear of Covid has gone and people are delaying their third dose for no other reason. “There is no crowd at vaccination centres despite the third dose now open for all senior citizens. Despite repeated appeals, very few have taken the precautionary dose,” said health worker Jyotsna Poratkar.
“Chances of another Covid wave are less. But the booster dose of the vaccine gives additional protection. It’s available for free. The government wants you to take it. What’s wrong in delaying the dose then?,” said infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde, who has always termed the third dose as completion of vaccination.
“Three doses are a must to get protection against the virus at this stage. All those who are eligible must get it at the earliest,” he added.
Epidemiologist Anand Thatte said that over confidence is not good in the case of the virus. “Cases are growing in some parts of the world. One mutation and the virus may return with another wave. Vaccination is the only available protection and we should not delay it further,” he said.
LESS TAKERS
* 6,146 senior citizens took the precautionary dose in last 12 days from March 16
* 20,496 children in 12-14 age group received 1st dose in last 12 days
* Urban rural gap is visible as nearly 70% doses administered in urban areas
* Doctors says there’s no point in avoiding or delaying third dose/second dose
* Vaccines safe and effective and the eligible must go for it
Date
Precautionary doses (mostly 60+)
Age group 12-14
Mar-16
446
0
Mar-17
263
183
Mar-18
0
0
Mar-19
478
816
Mar-20
3
0
Mar-21
687
1471
Mar-22
700
2266
Mar-23
726
4572
Mar-24
706
1644
Mar-25
669
5480
Mar-26
914
2626
Mar-27
26
183
Mar-28
528
364
