BHOPAL: It has been over a fortnight where demand for second dose of vaccine in Bhopal has surpassed those seeking the first dose of vaccine to protect against Covid-19. People turning up for second dose have been far less than expected and the health department is reworking its outreach initiative.
“In Madhya Pradesh, 64% of those are eligible (completed 84-days period) for second dose have been fully vaccinated,” said MP immunization in charge, Dr Santosh Shukla. “We have established communication with the missing beneficiaries and the fully inoculated number will further go up in the coming days,” he added Dr Shukla listed various reasons for the 46% not turning up for the second dose. It included, incorrect telephone numbers in the database, migration and some having got the infection after the first dose.
Starting this Monday, in Bhopal alone almost eight lakh doses of vaccine would be required till October 30, to fully inoculate 7.91 lakh people who are completing their 84-day wait for second dose.
In the last week, number of people who were due for second dose was 1.14 lakh in Bhopal. Going by government data, 84000 people (due for second dose between Aug 21 to 27) got the second jab.
In the previous week, (Aug 14 to 20) 92,000 people in Bhopal were due to get the second jab. As per government data, 41,291 got the second dose.
“There is no shortage of vaccine. A physical list has been handed over to health workers for door to door outreach,” said Dr Shukla.
Vaccination is carried out four days a week in full swing. On an average, to complete the target more than 12000 people would have to be inoculated per day in Bhopal alone. The vaccination coverage for fully inoculated in Bhopal is 6 lakh, whereas, total number of doses administered is 23 lakh.
