Even after vaccine campaign advertisements can be seen almost everywhere, people are still reluctant to administer the vaccine. Only 38 percent of citizens who are above 45 years of age have taken vaccine so far in the Union Territory of J&K.
Union Health Ministry shared data on Monday for 100 days of the vaccination campaign which mentions that 20,43,786 doses have been administered in the Union Territory of J&K in this time period. Within UT, 17.3 lakh patients have received the first dose while 3.12 lakh people have also received second dose.
A high-level meeting of officials took place to review the public health response to COVID-19 two days back. It was informed that in the initial phases of vaccination 75% of health workers, 78% of front line workers and 38% of citizens above 45 years of age have been vaccinated.
In Kashmir Valley, districts like Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal and Shopian have shown more than 40 percent vaccination coverage amongst the citizens. Similarly in Jammu, districts like Kathua, Ramban, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur have administered more than 40 percent vaccination among citizens above 45 years of age.
It is learned that none of the 20 districts in J&K have witnessed over 50 percent population in the vaccination campaign. Only nine districts in the UT have shown 40 percent vaccination in the population. The next phase of the vaccination will also include people who are in 18-45 age group and will cover around 65 lakh people.
Government authorities are working on a strategy in order to facilitate greater coordination among the frontline workers of various departments including health, social welfare, school education, rural development and housing and urban development so that vaccines can be effectively distributed at ground level.
Government will launch awareness campaigns to educate the people and motivate them to participate in the vaccination drives. People must get vaccinated as soon as possible and save themselves and their families from deadly virus.
Many suspects that rumour-mongers have caused a setback in vaccination campaign. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those people who indulge in rumour-mongering and spread misinformation regarding safety of vaccines. The government has advised people to avoid such misinformation.
