Maharashtra to initiate a counselling campaign to increase vaccination numbers for COVID-19.
Key sentence:
- The minister claimed that the low turnout was due to the technical difficulties faced in the Co-WIN app.
- Tope said that both vaccines – Covishield as well as Covaxin – are secure for use and no serious reactions have occurred since vaccination.
- Minister added there must be no question about Covaxin from Bharat Biotech Limited as it’s been authorized by India’s Drug Controller General.
On Wednesday, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the State Health Department planned to start information, education as well as communication (IEC) drive and also go for health care workers (HCW) advice to enhance the percentage of Covid vaccination across them.
The decision was made after a 10 per cent decline on the second day of the vaccination campaign, down to 54 from 64 per cent on day one on January 16. The minister claimed that the low turnout was due to the technical difficulties faced in the Co-WIN app as well as to the apprehension of the possible side effects of the vaccine among all the beneficiaries.
As Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated in the Video:
I would not call turnout low, like those on day one, Maharashtra saw one of the country’s highest responses. It is true that not all of the enrolled HCWs come up for vaccination, but we must not go through the turnout rate I am releasing a video speaking to our HCWs to step forward as well as set an example for others about the push to strengthen it further.
Ultimately, for many, they are message providers and idols,’ he said. Ope said that both vaccines – Covishield as well as Covaxin – are secure for use and no serious reactions have occurred since vaccination.
Technical issues are still faced on the Co-WIN app:
Technical issues with the Co-WIN app were also facing us, and some recipients found their names cancelled during initial enrolment. Second, the HCWs were also hesitant about protection and want to first test the effectiveness of the drive for several days. The attendance is not up to the mark for these two reasons,’ said Tope.
The ministers were not participating in the drive:
The Minister added there must be no question about Covaxin from Bharat Biotech Limited as it’s been authorized by India’s Drug Controller General as well as ratified as safe to be used by scientists.
The ministers did not take part in the campaign. Tope said since it was against the vaccination policy. For HCWs as well as frontline staff, the first two steps are intended, and I will not break the guidelines set by the Centre. When my turn comes, I’d be the first one to go for it,” he added.
