BENGALURU: Uttara Kannada districtt has achieved the highest Covid-19 vaccination coverage in the state, inoculating 65% of targeted beneficiaries. Of the 14,834 healthcare workers targeted in the district, 9,698 have been inoculated.
Yadgir is the second highest at 64%, followed by Kodagu (63%), Chikkaballapura (62%), and Chikkamagaluru (61%). Uttara Kannada has registered 14,592 Covid cases and 178 deaths until Wednesday.
However, in terms of absolute numbers, Bengaluru has administered the first dose to the most number of people — 78,587. That’s only 46% of the target. Bagalkot has the lowest coverage (38%), followed by Bengaluru Rural (39%).
BBMP officials say vaccinating all beneficiaries is a mammoth task since Bengaluru houses several private hospitals, private nursing and paramedical colleges. “What has compounded low turnout is glitches with the CoWIN portal. Also, some government hospitals are yet to start sessions,” an official said.
The Uttara Kannada district administration has adopted a proactive approach to the programme. About 5,000 health officials in the district were given various tasks, including calling up hospitals and seeking the list of staff who have not been vaccinated.
“We have achieved 65% coverage largely by motivating healthcare workers,” said Dr Sharad Nayak, district health officer. “We are calling beneficiaries up and asking them to take the vaccine. Our objective is to reach 90% by the end of the week.”
Dr Nayak said there was some hesitancy over the first three days, but the programme gradually gained pace.
Of the 6,11,907 healthcare workers registered for the vaccine across the state, 3,13,639 have been inoculated, a coverage of 51%. The state health department is looking into reasons for poor coverage in some districts.
“We will hold a video conference with authorities in districts where the drive is yet to pick up,” said Pankaj Kumar Pandey, commissioner, health and family welfare department.
Wherever leading doctors or heads of departments in both government and private sector, have taken the vaccine, the coverage has been better, say sources. “In places where senior doctors and officers have adopted a wait and watch policy, the coverage has been low. The coverage among students in nursing, medical and paramedical colleges is low. They are also considered healthcare workers,” said an official.