VADODARA: While the daily Covid-19 vaccination numbers in the city may seem encouraging since the last couple of days, the fine print reveals that the progress remains sluggish.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is now reaching out to leaders and opinion makers in various parts of the society to ensure the it gains momentum.
Data furnished by VMC health officials clearly reveals that the numbers this week have been fuelled largely by people taking the second shot.
It was particularly the population in the 18 to 44 age group that was taking the second Covaxin shot that fuelled the numbers.
The number of persons taking the first dose has in fact shown a receding trend barring Monday when a major drive was organised.
This has been the case despite walk in vaccinations being announced formally and organisations being given the permission to hold vaccination camps.
Despite the sluggish vaccination off late, the city has otherwise performed well.
Against an adult population of around 15 lakh, the city has already vaccinated 9,13,900 persons with at least one dose of the vaccine.
Mayor Keyur Rokadiya who held a meeting with representatives of various traders, business and industry groups said that many of those who remained were reluctant to take the vaccine.
“We will be approaching them through various organisations working with them.
Right from the association of street vendors to those of industries and those working for different communities like the Baroda Muslim Doctors Association, we are approaching all,” Rokadiya said.
He said that vaccine hesitancy did prevail in some classes of the society.
“But things have started changing off late.
Many who were reluctant are now coming forward.
A reason for vaccination slowing down is also that we have already a very healthy vaccination rate and a lesser proportion of the eligible population remains,” he said.