GUWAHATI: Lack of health infrastructure to deal with possible adverse affects after immunization is the principal reason why the Covid vaccination drive cannot be fanned out to rural and remote areas immediately.
There was overwhelming response to the third phase of the drive beginning March 1, especially in government hospitals. But no one in the health department can say when this drive would reach the level of health sub-centre in the villages.
The vaccine is available in seven medical colleges, district-level hospitals and some primary health centres (PHCs) till the cold chain points exist. Following the Centre’s guidelines, the Assam government on Wednesday allowed private hospitals to administer the doses in conformation with government norms.
“Anyone can walk in for offline registration and get the vaccine immediately,” said a health official. Nevertheless, the free vaccine is attracting those over 60 and 45 with co-morbidities more to government facilities.
“Government hospitals are giving the vaccine free of cost. It matters if several members in a family have to be inoculated. Moreover, during the Covid crisis, people’s faith in government hospitals grew. Comparatively more people with co-morbidities and the elderly are walking into the government hospitals in the third phase,” said Manoj Choudhury, executive director of Assam NHM.
Health officials said the government has not yet decided to start the drive beyond PHCs because of the absence of health infrastructure.
Around 1,665 beneficiaries, aged 60 years and above, and 169 beneficiaries between 45 to 59 years of age with co-morbidities, received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine across the state on Wednesday (till 6 pm). Simultaneously, 1,270 healthcare workers (HCWs) and 14,893 frontline workers (FLWs) received the first dose, while 1,106 HCWs and two FLWs received the second jab during the day. Significantly, no cases of AEFI were reported for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
Appealing to everyone to get vaccinated, deputy commissioner of Karbi Anglong, Chandra Dhwaj Singha, said, “I received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Diphu Medical College today. I would like to appeal to everyone, especially our polling personnel and officials involved in the election, to come forward and get vaccinated.”
The health department continues to inoculate noted personalities to allow faith in the jab to grow. Eminent litterateur and former DGP Harekrishna Deka was among the prominent citizens to be vaccinated on Wednesday. “I have received the vaccine without facing any discomfort. It is crucial for everyone to get vaccinated and at the same time follow Covid appropriate behaviour,” he said.