BHOPAL: There is a slow but alarming rise in Covid cases in Madhya Pradesh after a two-month lull when daily counts had dropped to single digits. Active cases have again crossed the 100 mark, and the big concern is that the state is way behind its second-dose vaccine targets.
Around 42 lakh people are overdue for their second shot despite the two-day campaign last month in which over 42 lakh people were vaccinated. Only 88 lakh of the target population of 5.5 crore has been fully vaccinated — around 16%.
While the administration struggles to get people to take their second doses, Covid numbers are inching upwards. Active cases touched 101 on September 3, crossing 100 for the first time since August 15 when there were 104 cases.
In the past 15 days there has been hardly a day when less than 10 new Covid-19 cases were detected.
Twice in a fortnight — on August 19 and September 3 — 18 cases each were reported, and there were 22 each on September 4 and 5. Active cases stood at 122 on Sunday, a 20% jump in 48 hours.
Race against time to ensure first shot to all by Sept end
The only thing that can stop the third wave – considering how most people have dumped face masks in the bin along with Covid precautions -- is vaccination. The government aims to give the first dose to everyone by September-end, but also emphasizes the importance of getting people fully vaccinated.
On August 25, the first day of the two-day mega vax campaign, there were 48 lakh second doses overdue. Between then and September 4, at least 36 lakh second doses have been administered, showing the urgency. Still, that leaves 12 lakh from that lot to be fully vaccinated. Moreover, between June 1 and June 10, more than 30 lakh first doses were administered in the state, and they were all due for their second doses by September 4 (84-day gap).
This means, over 42 lakh were due for their second dose as of Sunday.
This is an area of concern. According to officials, the government is mulling a special drive to plug the second-dose gap. It will be a tough task since the priority right now seems to be to cover 100% of the eligible population with the first dose. The administration is trying to find out why these many people have skipped their second dose but it’s not the government’s responsibility alone to ensure full vaccination. The widening gap points at laxity among a section of the population -- the second dose should be the priority of the individual too. As on September 4, around 4.84 vaccine doses had been administered in the state, 3.95 crore of them being first doses. Second doses number only 88 lakh – an indication of the uphill battle ahead.
