Few takers for vaccination due to drop in cases, ongoing exams

Shilpa P | NT

With exams going on, and since the Covid vaccine CorBEvax for children between 12 to 14 years cannot be given in schools or at their doorsteps unlike other vaccines for those in other age groups, and other reasons, vaccination coverage among those between 12 and 14 years, which began on Wednesday in Mysuru district has been going on at a slow rate. Only 116 (0.10 per cent) children between 12 and 14 years were vaccinated in the first two days as against a target of 1,12,528.

Speaking to News Trail, district health authorities, explained that since a number of children in this age group born in 2008, 2009 and 2010 are having examinations, their parents are worried if the children get pain or fever after the vaccination. Also, as CorBEvax is a new vaccination, educated parents are yet sceptical about it. So, they are waiting for parents to gain confidence, they said.

They added that vaccination for children between 14 and 18 years could be given in schools. But since CorBEvax is a new vaccination, it has to be given only in hospitals and the recipients have to be supervised mandatorily for half an hour. Also, other vaccines come in smaller vials, with five or ten doses too. But CorBEvax vaccine is coming in vials of 20 doses each. Once the vial is opened, all 20 doses should be administered within a few hours, so they need to vaccinate at least 20 children in that period of time. But public healthcare centres are not getting enquiries for vaccination for even four to five children per day. So, the coverage has been slower, they informed.

Since those between 15 and 18 years of age were vaccinated at school, 90.55 per cent children (1,33,361 children as against a target of 1,47,279) are vaccinated with the first dose, and 71.57 per cent children (1,05,412 children) are vaccinated with the second dose.

Senior citizens reluctant to take second dose
Though precautionary dosage for those above 60 years of age, for even those without co-morbidities began in Mysuru on Wednesday, the response is very poor, according to Health department authorities. So far, the coverage of precautionary dosage for those above 60 years with co-morbidities is just 12.44 per cent and only 49,130 people in this group are vaccinated, as against the target of 3,95,000 people.

“This is because the number of Covid cases have almost become nil (for example the cases of Covid were just three in Mysuru on Thursday), they question the need to even take the precautionary dosage when there is no covid at all,” a medical officer of a public healthcare centre here said.

Those extra vaccinated with first dose are from other districts and states:

Interestingly, in Mysuru 100.50 per cent people, that is 25,98,189 people as against the target of 25,85,279 have been vaccinated with the first dose when practically many people are still not vaccinated. And 96.15 per cent people 24,85,702 people are vaccinated with the second dose. A couple from Rajivnagar claim they are still sceptical about the vaccine, so they have not opted for it.

Some people claim that they do not go out, so what is the need for vaccination. Many, urban people mainly, are yet to be vaccinated, a source at the Health department said.

“These extra people who are vaccinated with the first dose are those from other districts and states, especially workers from UP and Bihar, as any citizen of India can get vaccinated anywhere with an Aadhaar card, and as malls and other places made it mandatory for employees to be vaccinated,” the authorities said.