- The month of September was euphoric for the nation’s counter-virus efforts as the vaccination drive kept reaching newer heights on the back of a spirited push to cover eligible adults. The union government and the State Governments have indeed accomplished a major goal in pressing ahead with the inoculation drive with absolute intent. The results are there for all to see with a spectacular number of doses administered in a day. If you recollect, the number of doses touched a whopping 25 million on 17th September 2021 which incidentally happened to be the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the month of October has not seen the same enthusiasm and purposeful intent as the vaccination drive appears to have slowed down a bit.
PC: Manavi Kapur
- As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry, 75% of adults have already received first vaccine doses, and state health officials are worried about low offtake of second doses in many states. The Cowin app indicates that the country has crossed 80 lakh daily doses only on two days in October as compared to 10 such occasions in September. Further, on October 4, first and second dose coverage reached 70.1% and 26.3% of the adult population, a 6.1 and 4.6 percentage point increase from 64% and 21.7% on September 20. Most disconcertingly, the subsequent fortnight till 18th October has witnessed only a 3.9 and 3.7 percentage point increase in 1st and 2nd dose coverage to 74% and 30%, respectively. These statistics are a cause for concern.
- Unlike earlier months, vaccine supplies are now abundantly available. The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that a whopping 10.78 crore doses lie unused with states as of date. There are worrying signs of vaccination coverage slowing down rather than accelerating to meet the deadline set i.e., December end. What could be the possible reasons for the relative slowdown in the inoculation drive? The most obvious reason is the slew of festivals during these months leading into the new year with people preferring to revel in the festivities. Also, expected fatigue setting in amongst all the healthcare workers who are tirelessly working for most of the last year and a half. Even so, there is no way the states can show any signs of slackness now what with infection rates coming down drastically to press ahead with the advantageous situation.
PC: Caroline Barnhill
- Thus, the onus of incentivizing recipients lies entirely with the state government who can no longer point an accusing finger at the center for failing to ensure adequate supplies of vaccines to cover its citizens. The decentralized move that created over 70,000 vaccination sites, from just 3,000 at the outset, must be sustained come what may. The Union Government should also be keeping an eye on the marauding Delta-plus variant and waning of vaccine-induced immunity that might prompt a serious rethink in administering booster doses for the immuno-compromised persons. Make no mistake, the priority and thrust must be placed to ensure all eligible to receive 2nd doses of vaccine are covered expeditiously. There is no time to feel complacent at all. Act now!
