As the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive completes a week on Saturday and as many as 14,794 beneficiaries have received the jab — against the target of 24,091 — TOI’s Gaurav Pandey speaks to state health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni who sheds light on the progress of the drive so far, teething issues faced by the authorities concerned and Jharkhand’s ongoing fight against the virus.
Q. What has been the progress like of the vaccination drive ever since its launch on January 16?
A: Ever since its launch last week, the inoculation drive has been going in full swing and the number of beneficiaries being vaccinated is increasing with each passing day, especially in the last three days when more than 3,000 were given the jab. Although there was dip in the turnout rate on January 20 and on January 19 when 56% were vaccinated, on Saturday it improved and went up to 60%. As per the figures, more and more elderly and young health workers are coming forward to take the shot.
Q. What would you consider as some of the challenges of the vaccination drive?
A: The most difficult part for us will be maintaining a balance between administering the Covishield vaccine to all the first-time beneficiaries and keeping aside a sufficient amount of the vaccine for administering the second dose to them. Unless there is a steady supply of the vaccine, our reserved stock will get exhausted by administering the shot to the first-time beneficiaries and there’ll be nothing left for the second dose.
Q. You mentioned that the turnout figures have increased in the last three days. What do you think is responsible for the spike in numbers?
A: Word of mouth by the health workers, especially the ones in their late 30s, is creating a positive impression in other beneficiaries’ minds who are now motivated to come forward and take the jab. For example, today many of our staff from maternal and child health department, including the cell heads and the regional coordinator of WHO, have taken the shot and their posts on WhatsApp and other social media platforms are helping in pushing up the numbers.
Q- Is the state contemplating any modifications in the strategy of the drive as the overall coverage rate is hovering around 60% of total registered beneficiaries?
A: The government has done its bit in spreading a positive message, especially in districts, regarding the vaccine through mass media. We are sharing the feedback received regarding the safety of the vaccine is continuously being shared through photographs and interviews. The fact that other countries are asking for Indian vaccines is being disseminated among the public as well. Moreover, the easing of norms introduced by the Union government, like the ‘allot beneficiary’ feature, for instance, on the Co-WIN app, is being publicised vigorously among the beneficiaries. We also have a dedicated helpline (108) for those who have questions related to the vaccination drive.
Q What is the current scenario of the Covid-19 in state?
A: The outbreak is very well under control. The testing of samples is moderately high given the positivity rate on a weekly basis. Jharkhand is extremely meticulous in conducting the contact tracing of the infected person and we are performing better than the other states. The death rate is declining and the weekly cases have also declined and with vaccination, the number of cases will reduce further.