Aurangabad, Feb 10:
In the first phase, coronavirus vaccination was started for health workers in Aurangabad district from January 16. In the second phase, frontline workers were vaccinated, but only 45 per cent were vaccinated. Experts pointed out that this is a result of limited vaccination centres, fear, and neglect of public awareness. Hence the number of new centres in the district, private hospitals participation, and public awareness should be increased.
Vaccination was given at 10 centres on January 16 in Aurangabad district. The number of vaccination centres increased to 26 within a month. But the speed and number of vaccinations have not increased. Moreover, the fear of a reaction after vaccination is prevailing among the health workers. Employees with high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments are still far from being vaccinated. Vaccination is also low in the Government Medical College and Hospital. However, the health administration does not seem to be making any efforts to increase the rate of vaccination. If this situation persists, the possibility of its impact on the next stage of vaccination cannot be ruled out. Therefore, timely measures need to be taken, experts said.
New centres should be started
The number of new vaccination centres should be increased. More centres must come up in private hospitals. Health workers should be encouraged to get vaccinated. Health workers with comorbidity can also be vaccinated. Prevalence of corona has decreased, but vaccination will continue, said Dr Santosh Ranjalkar, president, Indian Medical Association.
Raise public awareness
The rate of vaccination is slowly increasing. Awareness is being spread about vaccination. But there are misconceptions about whether there will be any reaction in the future. Public awareness needs to be further enhanced to dispel this misconception. The IMA is also appealing for vaccination said Dr Ramesh Rohiwal, former president, IMA.
Other health services also continue
In all, 15,000 health workers have been vaccinated in the district. The vaccination will last till the end of February. The second phase of vaccination will also continue. Along with vaccination, other health services and programs are also underway said, Dr Vijaykumar Wagh, district immunization officer.
Health workers registered in the district - 33,468
Employees actually vaccinated - 15,138
Number of vaccination centres-26
Vaccination of frontline workers - 361