BENGALURU: While more than 31 lakh people were inoculated against Covid-19 during the special drive on September 17, nine districts saw a new trend: Second-dose recipients outnumbered those taking their first dose.
This shows that the focus of the vaccination drive in Karnataka is gradually shifting from partially vaccinating people to completely inoculating them against the viral disease.
CoWin dashboard data shows BBMP, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Kolar, Mandya and Udupi districts administered a higher number of second doses than first.
These are districts where first-dose coverage has been high and thus the focus is now turning to fully inoculation the eligible population, say health department authorities.
In Bengaluru city, of the 4.4 lakh doses administered on the day, 3.2 lakh (72%) were second doses, while only 1.2 lakh were first doses.
“Second-dose coverage was higher during the special drive,” said Randeep D, special commissioner (health), BBMP.
“That does not mean that people have taken the shot ahead of schedule. We have already covered 83% of the city’s eligible population with the first dose and naturally the number of people seeking the second dose has gone up.”
In Bengaluru Urban district (excluding BBMP areas), 68.5% second doses were given.
“While over 28,000 were due to get the second shot, several labourers from Tamil Nadu who are working here were also covered. For Covishield, only those who had completed 84 days from the first dose, were given the second dose,” said Dr Srinivasa GA, district health officer, Bengaluru Urban district.
Dr Srinivasa said mobile units received a huge response during the government-sponsored vaccination drive. The district administered 49,689 second doses as against 22,827 first doses.
K Sudhakar, health and medical education minister, revealed the focus was on individuals due for the second dose. Of the total 31.5 lakh jabs given during Friday’s Lasika drive, 16.2 lakh or 51% were first doses and 15.3 lakh or 49 % were second doses.
“However, no distinct targets were set for first or second doses,” said Sudhakar. “It’s just that those due for the second dose came forward in larger numbers in some districts.” More than 75% of the state’s eligible population has received the first dose of the vaccine.
The minister said the state’s Covid vaccination drive was shifting into high gear.
“Stepping up second dose coverage requires a different strategy and we are drawing up a plan,” he said.
“We have vaccinated 30% of the state’s population with both doses till now. We are working on increasing this percentage over the coming weeks. We are confident of vaccinating all eligible adults in the state with both doses by December this year.”
