Covid-19 vaccine is the most awaited and best gift to come in 2021. It had been considered as panacea for Corona. We were shrouded with euphoria as we waited for the vaccine to introduce.
We also understand from our past and present pandemic experience that vaccine is the strongest weapon against any pandemic. But as of now, the coverage of Corona vaccination is not so encouraging in India. The history of India vaccination or immunisation programme originated in 1978 under universal immunisation coverage.
Let’s briefly analyse the data given by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (4) on immunisation coverage in India.The NFHS (5) is still in phase one. As per NFHS -4 approximately 62 per cent Indians were covered in 2015-16 as compared to 44 per cent in 2005-06.
There is sharp increase of 18 per cent of immunisation coverage in national level. The survey also reveals that immunisation is no more confined to urban areas. Rural India shows an upward trend. The gap of immunisation coverage between rural India and urban India is narrowing down. Data shows that urban India has 64 percent coverage and rural India has 61.72 percent of immunisation coverage. Overall it shows that India is giving a positive acceptance for immunisation.
Ironically this sense of acceptance is marginal in Corona vaccination. Refusal, non-acceptance, delay and carrying a misconception about any vaccine despite its availability are called as vaccine hesitancy. Are we in vaccine hesitancy mode now? A survey conducted by an erudite doctor from Apollo Hospitals reveals that as many as 55 per cent of respondents are low spirited and reluctant to take Covid 19 vaccine.
As per the WHO , vaccine hesitancy is one of top ten threats to the global health. The trend of vaccine hesitancy is present in 90 percent of the country in the world. It is a global phenomenon. Conventionally, the origin of vaccine hesitancy can be traced from misinformation, negative perception and perplexed human casualties due to vaccine. Some religious norms also forbid their followers to take vaccine as it may contain with animal derived chemical. In current era, fake news in social media adds fuel to vaccine hesitancy.
India’s Covid-19 vaccination in is in its Phase-1. The major target groups for this phase are health workers and Corona warriors. As per Health Ministry of India, only nine States are over 70 per cent Corona vaccination coverage. Three States are below 40 per cent coverage.
Lower rate of inoculation among health workers was not expected. But it has happened despite the Government's attempt to spread awareness that impact of vaccine upon human body is very low. In India we have only two vaccines which are being used in Government vaccination. One is Covaxin and another one is Covishield. Generally health workers are considered as medical literate. They know the difference between safe and efficacy of Covid vaccines. Despite Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan's positive comment on the safety and efficacy of Covid vaccines, target groups choose to avoid the vaccination. The reasons behind the Covid vaccine hesitancy in India are unclear. It has a range from social to political and personal to psychological.
As per some social surveys, anxiety of vaccine side effects and signature on consent form prior to vaccination plays a major role in Covid 19 vaccine hesitancy. Operational guidelines, technical glitches and improper information about Co-WIN app also hinder the acceptance of vaccine. Many scholars argue that Government should show alacrity to clear the dust on reported AEFI (Adverse events following immunisation). In India these AEFI triggers fear to jab. The situation is changing. We are contemplating the pros and cons of Covid vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy among health workers is depleting. As of now as many as 12.7 lakh are vaccinated.
As per a survey by LocalCircles , there is a 7 percent decrease in the number of people hesitant to be inoculated. In December 2020 vaccine hesitancy was 67 per cent but in January 2021 it is 62 per cent. Currently a report by the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal says that Covaxin, Indian indigenous Covid Vaccine can enhance immune response without side effects. So vaccine efficacy can be trusted. Apart from that many senior doctors prefer to be inoculated to boost the confidence level of health workers. The Centre and States are coordinating together to clear the ambiguity on vaccine hesitancy. Ads in newspaper, text and Whatsapp message are in use to boost the confidence among people to be immunised. Recently, it is reported that some foreign countries demand for Indian-manufactured vaccines.
Further some sources say Prime Minister of India and CMs are to be inoculated in Covid Vaccination Phase 2. As far as States are concerned Odisha is in top three and as many as 1.2 lakh Covid vaccine beneficiaries are being covered. Punjab which is in top of NFHS (4) immunisation coverage, now dips down to the bottom of the list in Covid immunisation coverage.
This Covid immunisation coverage involves resources, planning, social mobilisation, communication, logistic, storage and many more. Out these, data of the beneficiaries is the most important things to be stored properly. Data management system for the Covid vaccine beneficiaries should be fully operational, so that the information and awareness can be channelised.
Immunisation is the outcome of vaccination. The aim of any vaccination is to control, eradicate and to stop spreading the disease. We are taking the vaccination not for us but for social wellbeing.
A fresh world-wide survey by Edelman PR's Trust Barometer 2021 presents that 80 per cent of Indians do not have vaccine hesitancy. India tops the list whereas Russia is in bottom. Hope we shall develop trust more on our own vaccine and reject the notion of vaccine hesitancy.
(The writer is a blogger and an author. Phone: 8456879522)