BENGALURU: The focus of the vaccination drive in Bengaluru is on nursing and medical colleges which account for 64,000 beneficiaries, but students are refusing to take the jab although they registered for it, said N Manjunatha Prasad, BBMP commissioner.
Some nursing colleges are seeking signed consent from parents of students prior to taking the vaccine and this has led to added concerns. AECS Maaruti Nursing and Dental College off Bannerghatta Road, had 600 staff and pupils registered for the vaccine, but only 180 were inoculated.
“There are others who are ready, but BBMP has not held sessions yet,” said Girijamaba Devi, principal, Maaruti nursing college. “Many dental students from other colleges are scheduled to take the vaccine here and we are getting calls. We have had only three sessions in one day.” Fifty dental students in the college didn’t want to register for the drive.
Devi said there are students from other states who stay in hostels on the campus which is why parental consent is required. “We are responsible for their safety, but many parents are unwilling and we cannot help it,” said Devi. She, however, said the response from parents has been mixed.
In some colleges, names of students who have already graduated have also been added to the list and this has inflated the beneficiary list, say BBMP officials. The registration was first done in August when final year students were still on campus.
“Final exams were held in December. Some students who passed out are employed in private hospitals and they have taken the vaccine here,” said the principal of a nursing college.