CHENNAI: With mega camps and home vaccination for the elderly, Tamil Nadu vaccinated 5.7 lakh people, the highest so far. This took the total doses administered, both public and private, to nearly 3 crore till 9.40pm on Thursday. But the health department, which had a stock of 12 lakh doses on Thursday morning and the capacity to vaccinate at least 8 lakh people a day, could have done even better, officials said.
“We encourage all eligible people to get their shots on time. Details available with health officials show that even among the elderly, vaccination is not adequate. Elderly are not just prone to infection but also have high risk of hospitalisation and complications if they are not vaccinated,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan.
The state, he said, has been using innovative ideas such as using CSR funds for free vaccinations in private to boost coverage. In August, the state vaccinated at least 2.5 lakh people every day compared to an average of 94,000 a day in April. So far, TN has completed 25% of the targeted 12 lakh doses (two doses for each person).
Public health officials say the number of vaccinations is proportional to availability. “We have used more than 95% of the doses given to us. But TN will be on par with other states only if allocation increases,” said health minister Ma Subramanian. “We have asked for at least 1 crore additional doses from the Centre to speed up vaccinations.”
As of Wednesday, nearly 36% of adults in the state had taken at least one dose and 9% both doses. Those in high risk zones such as tourists’ spots, hilly regions and border areas are being vaccinated on priority, Subramanian said. Nearly 67% of people in The Nilgiris district have taken at least one dose and 22% both doses. At least 45% of people in Chennai have taken the first dose, though only 19% are fully vaccinated. Coverage is the lowest in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts where 27% of people have taken the first dose and 6% the second dose.
