Tamil Nadu: Omicron scare helps improve vaccination coverage in Trichy

TRICHY: It looks as though the fear of omicron variant of Covid-19 is persuading people who were earlier hesitant to get the jab come forward to get vaccinated. The average vaccination per day has surged in the district by around 50% in the last two weeks. Besides the scare, efforts taken up by rural medical officers such as conducting vaccination camps in the evening for farm labours and tribals have increased the vaccination coverage to 83%.
From an average of 10,000 to 12,000 shots per day in November, 15,000 to 17,000 people got vaccinated in the first week of December. People aware of the emergence of omicron are coming forward themselves while, for those who are not well informed, medical officers are explaining to the unvaccinated people about the threats posed by omicron.
“People who were skipping their second doses for weeks are now stepping forward as a result of omicron scare. We were also reminding them periodically,” said Dr A Subramani, deputy director of health services, told TOI. Compared to urban Trichy, the rural health team has been sensitising the public. By coordinating with the revenue, rural local body and panchayats departments, the health department has covered 84% of the eligible population with at least a single dose as of December 9. For Trichy city, the vaccination coverage is 81% in the corresponding period.
In hilly areas, as the tribal population would return to work only in the evening, the rural health officers are conducting vaccination camps after 6pm. In Pachamalai hills, around 14 hamlets falling under Top Sengattupatti PHC saw vaccination for tribal workers at their doorsteps till 9pm. “People who have valid medical reasons for not getting the jab were asked to submit a written statement mentioning the reason. Some cite medication, they will be followed after a month,” said Dr P Sampath Kumar, a rural medical officer.
With the help of rural NGOs, health workers are marking the number of vaccinated and unvaccinated family members in front of their houses for follow-up. Dr A Mohammed Hakkim, coordinator, urban vaccination camp, added that Trichy Corporation has witnessed a surge in vaccination after the omicron variant came to light.