PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, Jan 14: With the increasing threat of Omicron among the youngsters in the state, the teenagers of the state have become reluctant and are turning up in low numbers to get vaccinated.
The information came to the fore after the state health department released the vaccination data which clearly shows that only 28,976 teenagers turned up on January 13 to get vaccinated.
At the same time, the past 10 days vaccination data shows that as many as 5,50,420 teenagers between the age of 15 to 17 years have been vaccinated in the state which means the average is 55,000.
As of January 13, 23% of the total beneficiaries among the age group of 15 to 17 years have got the vaccination.
A total of 9 districts of the state are below the 20% average including Jamtara (9%), Deoghar, Dhanbad, Koderma, Lohardaga, Packer, Ranchi, Sahibganj and Saraikela.
On the other hand, Gumla (45%) and Latehar (43%) have withstood the race with more than 40% of the teenagers getting vaccinated in the past 10 days.
On the issue of low vaccination in Ranchi, the vaccination in charge of the district Dr Shashi Bhushan Khalkho said that due to the closure of schools after the curbs by the state government the vaccination has been on the lower end.
“The poor weather condition may also be a reason for the people not turning up to get vaccinated. The opening of schools will also give a boost to the vaccination,” Khalkho said.
At the same time, 81% of the eligible state population above 18 years have received the first dose and 50% of the population have received both doses.
