BENGALURU: The 84-day interval between doses of Covishield is starting to hurt the Covid vaccination drive in Dakshina Kannada district. The window for the second dose is yet to open for most people who have opted for Covishield.
Nearly 46% of the total eligible population in DK district are yet to receive the second dose. Of them, many are yet to complete the prescribed interval of a minimum 12 weeks between the first and second dose.DK has administered the first dose to just over 15 lakh beneficiaries, while a tad over 8 lakh have been fully vaccinated (both doses) as on Friday.
Dr Kishore Kumar M, district health officer, said nearly 90% of the eligible population (18 lakh) in the district has received the first dose and 52% have received the second dose.
“Due to the shortage of doses the drive stuttered in June and July,” Dr Kumar said. “But supply steadied in August, and thereafter several special drives and camps were conducted. We expect a rush for the second dose late in November when those who received the first dose in June and in July will have completed 84 days. Currently, 88,100 beneficiaries who have completed 84 days are yet to receive the second dose. We have set up a database of beneficiaries who are eligible to receive the second dose in each primary health centre (PHC) and taluk health centre (THC).”
He said PHCs and THCs have begun contacting beneficiaries, asking them why they have not turned up for the second dose. Most say they have received the second dose elsewhere, Dr Kumar said.
“Some may also have taken the second dose by giving a different mobile number,” Dr Kumar said. “Many students who returned home during the lockdown received the shot in their hometowns. There are also people who were not able to receive the second dose due to various health issues.”
Dr BV Rajesh, district RCH officer, said DK was well ahead of the state firstdose average of 84%. “Since they can wait up to112 days to take the second dose, many beneficiaries will wait till the last day,” he said.
