UP: 6.59 lakh healthcare workers, frontline workers ‘ignored’ 2nd dose of Covid-19 vaccine

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Lucknow, 31 March: Amidst growing cases of Covid-19 infection across the state, heavy negligence of health workers and frontline workers has been revealed. So far 6.59 lakh health workers and frontline workers have not turned up for their scheduled second shot of corona vaccine.

In such a situation, the health department is appealing to these people to complete their dose, so that they can be protected from infection.

Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health Amit Mohan Prasad informed on Wednesday that so far the first dose of vaccine has been administered to 46,75,434 people in the state. At the same time, the second dose has also been applied to 9, 90,519 persons. In this way, a total of 56, 65,953 people have been given vaccine doses.

He said that in terms of health workers, 8, 90,246 have received the first dose. However, only 5, 85,298 of these people have received a second shot of vaccine but there are 3,04,948 health workers, who have not been able to take the second dose yet.

“Similarly, 7, 59,727 frontline workers have got their first dose. At the same time, only 4, 05,221 have taken the second dose, thus, there are 3, 54,506 frontline workers who have not applied the second dose. Thus, 6, 59,454 health workers and frontline workers have not yet taken their second dose of corona vaccine.

He said that just a single dose does not provide complete protection. It is mandatory to have both shots. Only then antibodies develop in the body. Therefore, there is an appeal to the left health workers and the frontline workers to get their second dose immediately. Otherwise this vaccination will be incomplete.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health said that from tomorrow, April 1, the drive for vaccination of people above 45 years of age is being started. Therefore, people under its purview must also get their vaccinations done.

He said that focus testing is done from time to time to prevent infection, in which frequent testing of school-colleges, government offices, shopkeepers, street vendors, drivers is done. These people are very much in contact with the public, their focus testing is to find out the level of infection and break the chain. He said that on the same lines, focus vaccination will also be started after one week.

“It will focus on vaccination of shopkeepers, bankers, teachers, government employees, street track shoppers, rickshaw-bus and auto drivers, media persons, and advocates above 45 years of age. These people have a lot of contact with the public. However, these people can also get their vaccination in the normal manner from 01 April. But, they will be given a special opportunity through focus vaccination, apprised ACS Health.

He further added that we will set aside a few days for this. In this, there will be an appeal to their association, union etc. to get vaccinated. In Focus Vaccination, people of this category can get their vaccine dose administered by visiting their nearest vaccination centres. So that the second wave of corona infection is seen to be controlled.