Red Alert: 12 lakh miss second jab

By Nischith N | NT

Bengaluru: Though the city has the distinction of administering the second highest number of Covid-19 vaccinations in the country, there are over 12 lakh people who have missed the second jab and health experts fear they remain vulnerable to coronavirus.

The BBMP data showed that over 12,43,630 citizens have failed to take the second jab of Covishield or Covaxin. Out of BBMP’s eight zones, the west zone tops the list with 2.58 lakh people missing the second dose.

BBMP has now decided to focus on ensuring that these people complete their doses. Healthcare workers, staffers at primary health centres and Covid-19 war rooms have been ordered to track such people and alert them to take the second dose. “This group of people may even trigger Covid third wave. Hence, the government should act immediately,” said Purshotham P, advocate and activist.

The city has the distinction of administering the second highest number of Covid-19 vaccinations in the country and completed 1.36 doses.

But the corporation is also finding it difficult to spot the people who missed taking the second dose within the stipulated time frame. There are nearly 12 lakh such people across the Bengaluru city. The data showed that over 12,43,630 citizens have failed to take the second jab of Covishield or Covaxin. Out of BBMP’s eight zones, the west zone tops the list with 2.58 lakh people missing the second dose. The gap between the first and second dose is 12 weeks for Covishield and four weeks for Covaxin and both doses are needed for adequate protection against severe Covid-19 infection and hospitalisation.

According to the reports from the Corporation, this issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by health officials and representatives of all 198 BBMP wards and they were asked to focus on people who failed to take their second dose, official sources said.

“It’s true that the demand for vaccines has come down, which is leading to an increase in the number of people missing the second dose because of low awareness. We have seen people who have taken Covid lightly and skipped the second dose. Another major issue is that some people don’t have phones or they have not recharged lately to get incoming messages. This may even lead to Covid third wave. Hence, the government should act immediately,” said Purshotham P, advocate and activist.

The sources claim that healthcare workers, staf fers at primary health centres and Covid-19 war rooms have been ordered to track people who have only taken their first dose, and alert them to take the second dose. It has been claimed that in Bengaluru city, a total of 1,36,99,018 plus doses have been administered.

A BBMP health official told News Trail that with the number of cases having come down, the people think that pandemic is over. We are trying our best to persuade them to take the second dose. We can’t force anyone. But healthcare staffers have been trying to bring about awareness. People can move to any of the vaccination centres to take the jab. However, if there is a crisis, then we will start the move to administer jabs at people’s doorstep.

In recent days, BBMP has also flagged off 80 vaccine two-wheelers and 16 mobile vaccination vans (cars) in association with the Care India Foundation to increase vaccine coverage. Each zone will get eight two wheelers and two mobile vaccination vans (cars) for the block and lane level vaccination drive.