HYDERABAD: To expedite Covid- 19 vaccine programme, the health department has set a target of three lakh doses every day, up from one lakh previously.
The government has recently set two vaccine records. On Saturday, health officials administered 5.27 lakh single doses. On Friday, the health department had met its highest target of four lakh doses (two lakh being first doses and the remaining second doses).
Officials were working hard to enhance immunisation coverage in rural areas. The drive involves everyone from health staff to people’s representatives. So far, 2.16 crore jabs have been administered in the state, with 1.56 crore being initial doses and 59 lakh being second doses.However, the number of women receiving the jabs in the state is slightly lower than the number of males. So far, 1.11 crore men had received vaccine shots, while 1.04 crore women were given jabs. Health issues, according to officials, were to blame.
“This number disparity is more noticeable in rural regions unlike urban areas. The reasons range from pregnancy problems to a lack of awareness about receiving the vaccination jab,” top officials said. In the rural areas, local youth were being engaged to spread awareness about the vaccine.
Door-to-door service is also being provided in rural areas, thanks to the success of the model in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. According to officials, the number of second doses would increase in the next few days as more people were scheduled for their jabs.
“The vaccine supply has improved, and we are also attempting to acquire directly from companies. By December-end, at least one dose will be distributed to all eligible population of the state,” officials stated.
