RANCHI: Taking cognizance of the slow pace of vaccination in Jharkhand, the state health department has directed all the DCs to present a roadmap for improving coverage in their respective districts.
The move comes in the wake of reports that many districts haven’t been able to achieve their daily targets.
In his letter to the DCs, additional chief secretary (health) Arun Kumar Singh said, “After conducting a review of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, it has come to my notice that the coverage is low in comparison to other states.
In order to increase the coverage, daily targets have been changed and deputy commissioners are directed to take appropriate steps for their compliance.” He has also ordered the DCs to personally monitor the situation to improve the coverage.
The state has set a target of vaccinating 2.5 lakh people on a daily basis, however, as per health department records, 7,56,982 people were vaccinated between June 18 and 24, with the highest number of shots being given on June 20 (1,25, 824) and the daily average being 1.08 lakh.
As per the review of state health department, Palamu, Chatra and Khunti have lagged behind in the drive with a coverage of 19, 23 and 28%, respectively, in the past week.
Even a few blocks under Ranchi district are struggling to improve the coverage.
Upon contact, district officials said that even after a series of awareness programs, people from rural areas aren’t turning up for taking the shot for various reasons.
As per a district administration report, only 33% of the total beneficiaries have been administered the first dose while a mere 9% have been given the second dose across 15 blocks.
Upon contact, Bundu SDM Sameera S said, “We have been conducting awareness programs, doing door-to-door visits and are also taking the help of community leaders but people from rural areas aren’t interested.
Although last week’s coverage wasn’t satisfactory, there has been an increase in the last two days with more than 290 beneficiaries taking the jab on Thursday.”