Nagpur: Less than 40% doctors, nurses, technicians, attendants etc working in hospitals run by the government, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and private institutions have taken the jab in the first schedule of vaccination for all registered health care workers which almost got completed on February 6.
As per press release issued by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Saturday, 12,578 health care workers (HCW) and frontline workers (FLW) have been administered vaccine in the city. Out of them, 12,132 were HCW.
The civic body claimed target was to vaccinate 17,900 beneficiaries while achievement was 70.27%.
Like in case of all authorities in the state, the NMC too is calculating achievement against target of 100 per centre. But actual scheduling was 120-200 per centre.
As per NMC’s data, 34,327 HCW and FLW were scheduled for vaccination between January 16 and February 6. Thus, the actual vaccination comes to 36.64%.
Out of around 800 FLW scheduled for vaccination, only 223 (27.88%) turned up for the inoculation.
Remaining 33,527 were HCW. Before launch of vaccination, 22,208 HCW were registered. The number has increased to around 31,000.
NMC official told TOI, “We have started second round for HCW who did not turn up in the first round. Around 15% HCW are turning up.”
Thus, around 37% HCW took the jab despite all had registered on their own through institutions. The HCW had given their details like identify proof, date of birth etc for registration.
The NMC has facilitated 20 vaccination centres across the city. Vaccines too are available in sufficient quantity. The civic body has facilitated vaccination centres even in 10 private hospitals.
The lowest turnout is at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) which is the only centre in Nagpur division for Covaxin. As against scheduled HCW of 7,241, only 1,204 (16.63%) have turned up for the inoculation.
An NMC official added vaccination is voluntary. “We are creating awareness on importance of vaccination of all to end the pandemic,” said the official.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde said, “Refusal might be around 10% and others might not be taking vaccine due to hesitation. Since cases and deaths have declined, seriousness about the pandemic seems to be diminishing. But herd immunity can control cases and deaths for some time. But vaccination of all is must to end the pandemic,” he said.
Dr Shinde suggested that the government should make vaccine available to all and in open market. “Currently, only two vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — are available. Reactogenecity of Covishield, especially among recovered Covid-19 patients, is high. Covaxin is best in this regard but requires undertaking etc. I think more options of vaccines can encourage all,” he said.
The state government had set deadline to complete first dose of all registered HCW by February 14. Now, six days are remaining and over 60% HCW need to be covered, especially those who did not turn up in the first schedule.