PONDA: The mega vaccination camp conducted by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) to achieve 100 per cent coverage of second dose by November 15 as per target set by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant received low response, on Sunday.
Total 7,581 people were vaccinated out of which 6,595 took their second dose while 986 took their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. So far 80 per cent beneficiaries are fully vaccinated and the State government desires to complete 100 per cent coverage of second dose by November 15.
However, around two lakh eligible people (around 20 per cent) have still not taken the second dose and though government has decided to conduct another camp on November 14, it appears a difficult target to achieve for the Health Department by next Sunday.
Sunday’s camp was held in all 260 centres across the State, health centres and sub-centres. Compared to the first mega camp held on last Sunday, which received good response with 15,000 people coming for vaccination of second dose, today just 6,595 people came for second dose and this low response may be due to Diwali festive occasion.
State Immunisation Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said, “Around 6,595 people took second dose of vaccination on Sunday during the mega camp. We had engaged maximum medical staff, employees, data entry operators but there was low response.
He said, “Not happy with 80 per cent vaccination of people with second dose in the government held mega camp. As it was Sunday, many people celebrated Bahubij that may be the reason for low turnout for second dose. We are not happy with today’s response. We have also organised mega camp on November 14, which will be like Pulse Polio mode i.e we will try to reach to maximum eligible people to encourage vaccination.”
He expressed worry on the backdrop of increasing cases and death rate at Russia and certain European countries. He said, “It would be a tough time if COVID wave reaches India and Goa again.”
He alerted eligible Goans to take the second dose and also those Goans who had not taken their first and second doses to vaccinate themselves.
“The State desires to complete 100 per cent second dose vaccination of all eligible people of Goa by November 15, as said by the Chief Minister,” he added.
Dr Borkar said, “Goa earlier had targeted to vaccinate population of 11.66 lakh with first dose. However, we vaccinated more than 100 per cent people i.e 12.45 lakh were vaccinated with first dose. Those extra people who had vaccinated are from States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, who had come to Goa for various reasons and got vaccinated and later left the State. They are difficult to get back for the second dose. Now, as on today, total 80 per cent are vaccinated with second dose while 20 per cent are yet to take. Many of them have not completed 84 days after first dose.”
Dr Rajendra Borkar urged the eligible Goans to take second dose on coming Sunday for 100 per cent vaccination with double dose.
