NASHIK: The health authorities in Nashik district have vaccinated more than 400 lactating women since they were directed by the state to do so.
The vaccination for lactating mothers started about one-and-a-half weeks ago and since then, the pace is steadily increasing across the district though hesitancy still exists in rural areas.
“Vaccination of lactating women was initially not allowed. As a result, this group did not get the shots even when vaccination was okayed for beneficiaries above the age of 18. As the government has now allowed the same, we have asked all our officials to start vaccinating lactating mothers,” Dr Ajita Salunkhe, vaccination coordinator for Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), said.
The response from lactating mothers in the rural areas is still on the lower side and health staff are trying their best to convince them, but it is consuming a lot of time.
“We have started awareness campaigns in rural areas. Initially due to the misinformation, the lactating mothers would not turn up to the vaccination centres. But when some of the lactating mothers, who were also self-help group (SHG) members, were counselled, they came forward for vaccination. Since then things have started changing in bigger villages – especially those having the primary health centres,” additional district health officer Dr Ravindra Chaudhary said.
Vaccine only in tribal blocks
Meanwhile, after having carried out vaccination at a large scale during the past several days, the vaccination stock has depleted as a result of which none of the vaccination centres operated on Wednesday except for the ones in tribal areas.
“Now the vaccines are being delivered as per population size. Since the people in tribal areas have not been taking vaccines, they have enough stock with them and vaccination is being carried out in those blocks,” Chaudhary said.
