INDORE: Strict measures like asking for Covid-19 vaccine certificates for releasing salary has helped authorities in achieving cent percent coverage of first dose in all categories except in 45-59 age group in Indore.
The district, however, requires to go a long way to achieve full immunisation as over 13 lakh still require to get their doses. On August 31, when the district achieved 100% targeted first dose coverage, there were over 1.05 lakh people remaining cumulatively in all categories, shows health department record.
Now, after one month, there were only 13,000 remaining in the 45 plus age group as 28.98 lakh people received their first doses against a targeted population of 28.07 lakh.
District Immunisation in-charge Dr Tarun Gupta said, “The targeted population is estimated based on government records including voter rolls and others. There is no actual headcount to have an actual number.”
In districts like Indore, there is a very high number of migratory populations. The students, professionals, labourers from other districts and states come to study, work, and for other purposes, said Dr Gupta.
“At the beginning of inoculation, we estimated the inoculation to go past the targeted population number. It is a mass drive, we couldn’t and shouldn’t deny any adult person from any part of the state, country at vaccine sites”, added Dr Gupta.
The state government directed all government employees to submit their vaccination certificates before they got their salaries. There were other measures in place including checking vaccination status at several places like airports.
The district authorities made it compulsory for Lord Khajrana Ganesh temple, cinema halls that were taken in the last couple of months. CMHO individually ensures 100% first dose vaccination in health workers and other officials for frontline workers.
Over 7.5L overdue, due to take second dose
Over 7.50 lakh people, who have taken first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, are overdue or due to take the second jab as they have not turned up despite an awarenesses campaign is under way to motivate them for several months.
The due and overdue are categorised based on days passed after the prescribed gap between both the doses. In the case of Covishield, 14 days after completion of prescribed gap of 84 days between two doses is considered as overdue and for Covaxin it is seven days after a gap of 28 days.
The district needs to vaccinate 13.60 lakh people with second dose to achieve full vaccination target. But, of them, 7.50 lakh people are not turning up, shows health department record. Around 5.50 lakh are overdue, while the remaining two lakh are due.
18-44 age-group accounts for two-third of remaining second dose
Around two-third of people, who need to take second dose of Covid-19 vaccine, are of 18-44 age-group in the district, shows record. There are over 10 lakh people in 18-44 age-group requiring second dose to complete the immunisation. District immunisation in-charge Dr Gupta said, “The 18-44 age-group has maximum over 18 lakh people among adult population in district and also the inoculation began in May only. But, despite this, it took only four months for this age group to complete 100% targeted first dose vaccination, which was the fastest. So, we are hopeful for similar mobilisation for the second dose in this age group.”
