Less than 2 per cent of the eligible population in the State has received both the doses of vaccines, even as several smaller States such as Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have done much better. The vaccination pace in Jharkhand is running at snail’s speed, a thing which is worrying for Government and health experts.
As per the figure available from National Health Mission daily data, so far only 11.69 per cent of the eligible population in the State has received the first dose of the vaccine, while 2.16 per cent have received both the doses. Those who have taken both the doses, their vaccination is considered complete. The present estimated population of Jharkhand is 3.77 crore.
So far only 44,07,139 people have received the first dose, while 8,15,958 people have received both doses. In the age category of 18-44 years, the vaccination of which started late, only 7 per cent of people in this category have received first dose, while the population in this category which have received both the doses is less than one per cent, which is only 0.99 per cent.
In the age category above 45 years, the vaccination percentage comes out to be around 32.50 per cent of those, who have received first doses, while those who have received both the doses the percentage comes out to 5.32 per cent.
Dr Ashok Mishra of Indian Medical Association said, “The slow vaccination is a worrying factor. We are lucky that pandemic speed has come down, but efforts should be made so that large sections of society are vaccinated as vaccines are the best defence against viruses.”
District wise vaccination figures if considered than only three districts in State have received more than 10 per cent vaccination. The three districts where vaccination is more than 10 per cent are Simdega, Lohardaga and Khunti. Simdega and Khunti are two districts where 11 per cent vaccination has been made, while Lohardaga is the district, which tops in vaccination in the State with around 12 per cent of eligible population vaccinated.
Sources said Lohardaga is the district, which is ahead in vaccination from other districts but still large sections of tribal and minority communities are not much enthusiastic about vaccination. Lohardaga DC Dilip Kumar Toppo said, “The district administration through various mediums is creating awareness about vaccination and in this connection we have also taken the help of village heads and local religious leaders.”
Sources said the main reason behind slow vaccination is rumour in villages.
Villagers in Latehar are saying that taking the vaccine will make them impotent. This rumour has spread in many villages of the district. Rumours have spread in most of the rural areas of the State including Chatra, Simdega, Gumla that the vaccine will lead to death.
The Government is now running a public awareness campaign to dispel these rumours. Sahiya-sahayaks are conducting surveys in villages. Villagers are being told that vaccines do not cause any disease.