Srinagar, Jul 2: The administration in Jammu and Kashmir has missed two deadlines to vaccinate all above 45 years of age, while as Srinagar district is the worst performer in Covid vaccination in entire J&K, official data reveals.
While 5 districts of J&K have already completed 100 percent vaccination of above 45 age group, Srinagar is the worst performer with just around 60 percent people having received the first jab, while only around seven percent of the population have been given the second jab.
Dr Nighat, vaccination in-charge for Srinagar district told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Srinagar has a huge denominator and is the third in overall numbers of doses being administered after Jammu and Baramulla.
She said despite the hard work of the health workers and full support from administration, they are still struggling to achieve the target mainly due to the hesitancy in a certain group of people.
Pertinently, Srinagar district has both urban and rural populations. Non-availability of vaccines, especially the second dose, before the introduction of new 2-jab gap rule has also compounded the low vaccination situation.
Top officials said that despite the fact that the people of Srinagar are relatively more educated as compared to other people of other districts, they are very much hesitant to get themselves vaccinated.
District Vaccination Officer requested the media to help them in removing doubts and fear among the people so that they can achieve the target on time.
“People need to understand that we can live normal lives with the opening of markets and educational institutions only after vaccinating 70-80 percent of the population to acquire herd immunity,” Nighat said.
She said that every responsible person must help them to remove hesitancy from the public.
Officials said that more waves can attack us anytime if people won’t understand the importance of vaccination.
Around 87 percent of people above 45 years of age have already taken the first jab while around 14 percent have received the second dose. —(KNO)
