NAGPUR: By now, it has been largely accepted that vaccination offers protection from severe Covid-19. Just like the vaccine shortage, improving supply and coverage is also a reality. Figures at least show the same.
In the first 10 days of August, 27,30,631 people in Vidarbha have been inoculated — which means nearly 2.73 lakh getting the vaccine each day in Vidarbha during this period. This pace is way above the July average of below 1 lakh per day, and overall average of 40,000 per day since the beginning of the vaccination drive on January 16.
Vidarbha’s overall population is 2.55 crore, out of which nearly 1.9 crore are eligible for the vaccination as they are in 18+ age group. Out of these, more than 92 lakh have received at least one dose, which comes to 50% of the eligible population. About 23 lakh of the total population in region have got both the doses and full protection, i.e. 12% of the eligible population is fully protected, while 50% has partial protection from Covid-19.
According to experts this is really a good number for the region like Vidarbha where the worst phase of the second wave of Covid-19 is over. “We must understand that we officially have more than 11 lakh cases on record. As per experts and scientists, unreported asymptomatic cases are at least 4 times more than the reported cases. A combination of vaccine and cases together bring good protection unless and until there is no new mutation in the virus,” said epidemiologist Anand Thatte.
Infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde said vaccination can check mutations.
“We have scientific evidence that vaccination can really slow down the mutations. We must keep and increase the pace of vaccination. Because, less vaccination allows more multiplication of the virus which will eventually lead to more variants,” said Dr Shinde.
Vaccination coverage in rural Vidarbha still needs a push, said officials involved in record keeping. According to them, urban areas have better coverage and some villages where people are aware and leadership is active, have already achieved 100% vaccination.
“But, many in villages are still reluctant to get vaccinated. This may lead to rural outbreak of Covid-19, which is more risky. We must convince people to get vaccinated not only for their own safety, but also for the sake of others too,” said the official.
