BEGUSARAI: While the strict enforcement of lockdown seems to have halted the severity of the second wave of Covid-19 in the district, people have a lukewarm response to the ongoing vaccination drive, particularly in the rural areas.
Even the launch of vaccination express, which travels to villages for the convenience of people, has so far failed to enthuse common people to get the shots.
As per information available, only 165 persons turned up to take the jab during the vaccine express’ three-day run in various wards of Bihat Nagar Parishad from June 3 to 6.
Similar was the case at many of the rural vaccination centres as people living in nearby villages show little interest in inoculation.
Begusarai DM Arvind Kumar Verma held a videoconference on Sunday with various district and block level officials of the administration and health department and representatives of WHO and Unicef to give directions for speeding up the vaccination process.
He directed the block officials to ensure that people of different areas get prior knowledge about the vaccination schedule in their localities.
Besides, they should also ensure that all panchayat representatives under their areas must have taken the jab as the district administration has inputs that many of them are also averse to taking the jab due to various rumours, which causes hesitation in other people in the area for vaccination.
He also asked the officials to seek help of local religious heads of various sects to motivate people to come forward for vaccination as it helps counter the Covid threat and also boosts the immune system.