Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 21: Even though the district is witnessing a good trend as far as lowering of covid19 cases is concerned, it is a concerning development that there has been no major change in the number of people getting vaccine shots particularly the first dose.
The people have not been forthcoming to get first dose of the vaccine. However, there is a gradual increase in those who are willing to get the second dose. The health department is now planning to create awareness about the importance of getting first dose and thereby increase the number of vaccinations.
Representational image
The health department has already vaccinated 88 percent of the population and the officials say they are unable to vaccinate the others. The health department, which was concentrating more on regulating Covid cases, is now paying more attention to vaccinate people. Senior officials are coordinating with health department staff to convince people in rural and urban areas to get vaccinated. A senior health department official revealed that officials are moving around villages in teams to achieve progress in vaccinating people against coronavirus.
As per the department’s statistics, till October 16, 22,69,582 persons have got the anti Covid vaccinations. As many as 15,02,088 got the first dose and 7,67,494 got the second dose. Dakshina Kannada district health officer, Dr Kishore Kumar M, says that because of the reduction of Covid cases and as there is no fear about the third wave immediately, people are not showing interest to get vaccinated. He said that the department staff are inspiring people to get the vaccinations but as of now, even a thousand doses of the vaccine are not exhausted in a week. At the same time, he said, about 9,000 doses of the second dose are used every week.