HYDERABAD: Since the rollout of the second phase of
Covid-19 vaccination
in the state for frontline workers, the hesitancy towards the vaccine has gone up a notch up. As a result, the per day targeted coverage of beneficiaries has gone down from 45%-50% to 37% for frontline workers on Wednesday.
The reason for the increased hesitancy, say health officials is a myth particularly circulating among police personnel that taking the vaccine would mean no consumption of alcohol for at least a couple of months.
While the hesitancy has pulled down the overall coverage of targeted beneficiaries so far to around 49.7%, Telangana now stands 9th among states in terms of number of beneficiaries covered. In terms of percentage of the target met so far, Telangana is behind many states including Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. These states have achieved better coverage ranging from 54% to 75% of their target so far (comparison up to Tuesday).
The myth about the
Covid
vaccine sounding a death knell to alcohol consumption, however is not true. “Alcohol consumption is not a contraindication for vaccination. This is a myth largely circulating in social media and especially among police personnel. People can consume alcohol or any other food if they take the vaccine. We have only advised to stay away from alcohol on the day of vaccination,” said Dr G Srinivasa Rao, director of public health, Telangana. In fact, even senior officials from various departments setting an example by taking the jab has not gone a long way, with the myth discouraging many beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, a constable from
Cyberabad developed seizures immediately after vaccination and was rushed to Gandhi Hospital. The constable was a known patient of epilepsy and is the only patient so far to have developed an immediately serious side effect. He is currently stable.
Start a Conversation
Post comment