Jharkhand's response to taking the precautionary dose of the Covid-19 vaccine among those above 18 years has been lukewarm ever since the nationwide drive was launched on April 10.
The new XE variant of Corona has knocked the country. In the past one week, patients are increasing rapidly in 12 states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In view of this, the Centre last week started booster dose from April 10 for those above 18 years of age. Unlike other Covid vaccination, for booster dose people have to pay money. As fees have to be paid, people are not coming forward for taking vaccines.
Several states including Delhi, Bihar and Haryana have announced to introduce free booster dose. Its effect has also been shown. So far in Delhi, 78,344 people aged 18-59 have taken booster dose, while in Bihar this figure is 36,237, whereas in Jharkhand only 6109 people of this age bracket have taken booster doses.
Due to the slow pace of vaccination, Jharkhand stands at number 12 in vaccination. On the other hand, if we talk about those taking the overall booster dose, then we are at number 20. In Jharkhand too, if the booster dose is made free, then it can accelerate. Because experts are also saying that we can avoid corona only with the vaccine.
The governments of Bihar, Delhi and Haryana have announced to provide free vaccines to all the people between the age group of 18 to 59 years.
Health department officials said that if Jharkhand spends Rs 430 crores, 1.72 crore people will be safe in completing the vaccination process. Bihar government has approved Rs 1314 crore for booster dose for people of 18-59 years. Similarly, if Jharkhand also spends Rs 430 crore, then the population of 1.72 crore of the state will be completely safe from Corona.
Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department said that there is no proposal to make booster dose free in Jharkhand as of now. At present, according to the guidelines of the Centre, free doses are being given to health care workers, frontline workers and those above 60 years of age.
Meanwhile, sources said that Jharkhand School Education and Literacy Department is going to issue an advisory asking the schools in the state to stop the morning assemblies, Cultural programmes and Sports Activities for students considering the increasing COVID cases in the state.
The School Education and Literacy Department has issued fresh guidelines for Jharkhand Schools which are to be followed amidst the increase in the COVID cases in the state. Schools in the state have been asked to conduct regular check-ups with health centres while the district administration has been asked to conduct random COVID testing for students and teachers.