333 health workers vaccinated on Day 2

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 18

The Covid vaccination drive continued for the second day today.

On Day 1, 214 healthcare workers were vaccinated against the target of 500, while on Day 2 today, 333 healthcare workers were vaccinated.

‘Lack of communication’

• Low acceptance of the Covid vaccine has been seen among healthcare workers in the government sector on both days. There were several cases where healthcare workers got themselves registered, but did not turn up for vaccination.
• Dr GS Grewal, former president, Punjab Medical Council, said there seemed to be lack of communication regarding the vaccine and, hence, low turnout and acceptance of the same

Number of people vaccinated today

• DMCH: 133
• CMCH: 67
• Civil Hospital, Khanna: 50
• Civil Hospital, Jagraon: 44
• Civil Hospital, Ludhiana: 39

Today, 133 healthcare workers were vaccinated at the DMCH, 67 at the CMCH, 50 at the Civil Hospital, Khanna and 44 at the Civil Hospital, Jagraon. The lowest was 39 at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. The DMCH surpassed the target of 100, while the lowest number of beneficiaries to be vaccinated was at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana.

Low acceptance of the Covid vaccine has been seen among healthcare workers in the government sector on both days. At the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, 250 healthcare workers got themselves registered for vaccination, but only 67 turned up for vaccination during the two days and 183 missed the vaccination. On Day 1, only 28 healthcare workers were vaccinated, while on Day 2, 39 were vaccinated. Seeing the low turnout, there will be no session site at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, and now it will be shifted to Fortis Hospital, while rest of the sites will continue as earlier.

District immunisation officer Dr Kiran Gill said going for immunisation was something voluntary and not compulsory. “We are telling people about the benefits of the vaccine and why it is important to get themselves vaccinated, but we cannot force anybody to come for vaccination,” she said.

There were several cases where healthcare workers got themselves registered, but did not turn up for vaccination.

Dr GS Grewal, former president, Punjab Medical Council, said there seemed to be lack of communication regarding the vaccine and, hence, low turnout and acceptance of the same.

A class IV employee at the Civil Hospital said everyone in the hospital was asked to get themselves registered for vaccination.

“The registration was done by all, but many are still reluctant for vaccination. Even I am making up my mind still,” he said.

Another healthcare worker, whose turn was scheduled today, said she was waiting for response from other beneficiaries. “If all goes well, I will get myself vaccinated in the next session,” she said.

Five vaccination sites have been set up in the district which include three in the city at Civil Hospital, DMCH and CMCH and two in the periphery at Civil Hospital, Khanna and Civil Hospital, Jagraon.

Tomorrow, vaccination will be held at Fortis Hospital instead of Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. The target for vaccination at each site is 100 per day.