BHOPAL: Efforts are on to bridge the huge gap between the rate of vaccination of first dose and that of second in Madhya Pradesh. Second dose is being administered to Health Care Workers (HCWs), who had received the first shot 28 days back. The rate of second dose vaccination remains as low so far only 22 per cent HCWs have turned up for the second dose.
While the health department is administering second dose vaccination drive for the health care workers, the first dose vaccination of the Front Line Workers (FLWs). The front line workers will receive a second jab after 28 days.
While the rate of first dose of vaccinations to HCWs and FLWs has reached 83 per cent, the percentage of second dose to HCWs remains low at 22 in the state. Health department is trying its level best to increase the vaccination per cent and bridge the gap between the rate of both the doses. More and more catch-up rounds are being held to improve the percentage of first dose. Around 6,47,729 people have received the first dose of vaccination against the set target of 7,78,883, while so far second doses have been administered to 77,602 in Madhya Pradesh.
As per the health department sources, HCWs are slowly turning up for the second dose as a few have experienced Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI). They are still skeptical, however, the percentage will improve in the coming days.
The health department has fared well when it comes to ensuring first dose vaccination to health and front line workers. It has organised catch-up rounds for the workers who had missed their dose on the assigned date. The exercise yielded results and helped the administration to move close to its target. The department will follow the same pattern to ensure that all HCWs who received the first shot get the second dose.
Once the vaccinations HCWs are completed, the health department will start with administering a second dose to the FLWs. This will improve the rate of second doses vaccination in Madhya Pradesh.
