90 lakh people miss their second Covid-19 shot across Maharashtra

A health worker vaccinates a beneficiary against Covid-19 at Nair hospital, Mumbai Central, on Monday. Pic/Ashish Raje

More than 90 lakh people across Maharashtra have not taken their anti-Coronavirus vaccine's second dose despite completing the required gap between the two shots, shows data from the state health department.

Out of the over 90 lakh people, about 75 lakh had taken Covishield while around 15 lakh had taken Covaxin. Nearly 13 per cent of healthcare and frontline workers are among those who have missed their second Covid-19 vaccine dose.

Earlier, the state health officials attributed to the series of festivals the hesitancy to take the second dose. However, now, they feel it's because of misconceptions about the vaccines and also people's casual approach towards the infection, as cases are low and life is mostly back to normal.

State prepares list

The state's immunisation department is making a district-wise list of first-dose beneficiaries who have either delayed or skipped the second shot. Dr Archana Patil, joint director, Directorate of Health and Services, said, "There are many misconceptions related to the vaccination and we need to create an awareness to bust them. When the pandemic was at its peak, people were keen to take the vaccine. Our vaccination centres were overwhelmed with the turnout. Now, it's just the opposite; we have more vaccine doses but fewer beneficiaries turning up for their shot. We are organising special camps to reach out to as many people as we can."

Only 39% in state fully jabbed

So far, only 39 per cent of the state's eligible adult population of 9.14 crore have taken both the vaccine doses, and 7.10 crore have received the first shot. The state government has started ‘Mission Indradhanush', an intensified strategy adopted nationally in pre-Covid era to cover women and children who failed to get immunised against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. "We have directed all district immunisation officers to reach out to citizens. The Mission Indradhanush strategy will now be used for Covid-19 vaccination," said a state health officer.

People need counselling

Dr Gautam Bhansali, chief coordinator for private hospitals for Covid-19 and vaccination in Mumbai, said there is reluctance, but once counselled, people are ready to take the shot. He has been organising vaccination drives in slums and door-to-door vaccination drives. "During our drives at slums, we found that many had not taken the shot because they couldn't find time to go to the centres. By going to their doorsteps, we are trying to solve this issue. We are also taking the help of school children to sensitise them and make them understand the importance of vaccination," he said.

Dr Bhansali said it is important to take the second dose, as the efficacy of a single dose in preventing the infection is low. "Even though a single dose offers significant protection against hospitalisation and death, this protection is enhanced to a great extent with the second dose. People think they do not need the second dose, as they are protected with the first shot. That's a misconception," said Dr Bhansali.