PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 20: Amid Covid’s 4th wave scare, the only tool to protect oneself is getting vaccinated as soon as possible to fight the mutated variants like Omicron XE and BA-2 which have a high degree of transmissibility.
Even after this, the vaccination data released by the state’s health department showcases that only 30% among the age group of 15 to 17 years have been fully vaccinated while among the 12 to 14 years of age only 27% have received their first dose.
With the schools reopening after a gap of 2 years, the health department had stipulated to administer vaccination at a fast pace. But with the slow pace of vaccination, the younger age group might be exposed to the variants of Covid-19 having a high degree of transmissibility.
Six districts including Ranchi (15%), Dhanbad (5%), Ramgarh (9%), East Singhbhum (15%), Chatra (14%) and Bokaro (12%) have administered less than 20% vaccination among the 12 to 14 years age group.
Dr Shashi Bhushan Khalkho, who is the vaccination in-charge of Ranchi said, “We have set up vaccination centres all around the city as well as in the rural areas for the vaccination of different age groups of people. But still, the vaccination rate is on the lower end due to the lack of awareness among the people. Also, with examinations coming near, parents have restricted themselves in getting their children vaccinated.”
“I think media have a crucial role in this which can take up the task to motivate those who are afraid of getting their children vaccinated by taking up various interviews of the student role models who have taken the vaccination,” he added.
Covid-19 cases have shown a rising trend in parts of the country including Delhi, Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra with experts stating that the mild surge could be primarily due to the emergence of mutant variants like Omicron XE and BA-2 which have a high degree of transmissibility.
India has reported 1,247 new Covid cases and 1 death in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. The active case tally has risen to 11,860, with a rise of 318 such cases.
