NEW DELHI: Over 12 crore people are due for their second dose of Covid vaccine in India, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya pointed out as he urged states to make a collective effort to ensure no citizen is left without vaccine protection.
The number of people overdue for the second dose has risen as Dr V K Paul, member health in Niti Aayog and a key expert in the vaccination programme, had on October 20 said that the number of persons who had overshot the date for the second dose stood at 10 crore.
In a meeting with state health ministers to push the door-to-door vaccination campaign, the Centre suggested several measures such as creation of multiple vaccination teams (50-100) to ensure 100% coverage in the targeted area in a time-bound manner; development of a ranking mechanism for identifying and felicitating the vaccination teams (district and block) which administer the maximum number of vaccine doses every 24 hours, and utilising local weekly bazaars and haats for spreading awareness.
“Let us ensure collectively through collaborative and multi-stakeholder efforts that no eligible citizen is left without the vaccine’s ‘Suraksha Kawachh’. Let us reach each corner and household and motivate people to take both the doses,” Mandaviya said while interacting with health ministers of states and UTs.
Around 79% of the eligible adult population has received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, whereas 38% have been covered with both doses.
Cautioning against laxity in Covid-appropriate behaviour, Mandaviya said Covid-19 is not yet over. “Cases are rising globally. In Singapore, Britain, Russia and China cases are up despite more than 80% vaccination. Vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour should go hand in hand,” he stressed.
“Let us start Covid vaccination centres at bus stations, railway stations etc., especially in large metros. Some states have started a ‘Roko and Toko’ campaign where passengers alighting from buses, trains, etc., are motivated to take the vaccine,” he said.