KOCHI: Kerala is among the top five states that have given the single dose of the Covid vaccine to more than 75% of its eligible population. While 79.11% people have received the first jab, al- most 31.10% above 18 in the state have received both the doses.
By mid-August, seven months after the vaccine drive started, Kerala had given single dose to 61.98% of the eligible population.
However, in the last one month, Kerala has increased its vaccination rate and covered another 17.13% of the eligible population. However, when it comes to people who received both doses, there is only 7.67% increase in coverage.
This means that by now nearly 44% of our population have hybrid immunity, said Dr Padmanabha Shenoy, who has been analysing Covid patterns across India. “They have good protection against severe disease, ensuring low hospitalisation,” he added.
Goa and Himachal Pradesh lead with vaccinating 100% of its eligible population with a single dose. The states have given both doses to 41.96% and 35.20% respectively. Behind these two states is Uttarakhand that has given 90.05% of its population single dose and 30.17% both the doses, followed by Gujarat that has given single jab to 81.07% and double jab to 30% people. At number five is Kerala.
“In the last three weeks, many states, including Kerala, have accelerated the vaccination process, with most of the states showing a 20-27% jump in vaccination. Along with making certain that everyone gets the first dose quickly, Kerala is also ensuring that people receive second dose as soon as eligible,” said state health department’s N C Krishnaprasad, who was recently honoured by the Indian Book of Records for his effort in creating social media webpage on Covid-19 data from Kerala and the country.
But will the state health department be able to meet its target to cover all the people above 18 years of age with the first dose of vaccination before September end remains a question.
“To ensure this, efforts have to be made to ensure that the 25% paid vaccines available in private hospitals are also simultaneously used. At the moment, the demand for paid vaccines is less,” said Dr Jayakrishnan A V, chairman of Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) committee on Covid vaccines and vaccination strategy.
