Vax drive unlikely to meet 100% first dose coverage

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 29

The ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ vaccination campaign aimed at achieving 100 per cent vaccination coverage of the target population (first dose) by November 30. However, the campaign seems unlikely to achieve the desired result as only 76 per cent of the target population in the district has received the first dose so far.

As per the data of the Health Department, only 7,515 beneficiaries have received the first dose during the campaign, which kicked off on November 15. As of now, around 10.70 lakh beneficiaries out of total 14 lakh have received the first dose.

The Health Department said 13,492 beneficiaries, who had not received the first dose, were identified in 39,075 households of 493 villages in the district. However, only 7,515 beneficiaries came forward to take the jab. Health Department officials claimed the beneficiaries were making excuses to evade vaccine shots.

Dr Veenu Goyal, district immunisation officer, said the ongoing protests by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers had hampered the campaign. She said, “Due to the protest, the vaccination drive could not be run effectively. However, we will put in efforts to vaccinate as many beneficiaries as possible.”

Meanwhile, the department claimed 12 villages in the district had successfully achieved 100 per cent vaccination target (first dose). However, none of the villages or wards in the district were 100 per cent vaccinated with both doses.

In May, the Punjab Government had announced a special development grant of Rs 10 lakh for every village that achieved 100 per cent vaccination target under the state government’s ‘Corona Mukt Pind Abhiyaan’.

Health Department officials said they were hopeful that vaccination figures would improve after the ANMs ASHA workers resumed work.