AP: Social change campaigns aided Vizianagaram’s vaccine drive

VISAKHAPATNAM: Social and behavioural change communication played a crucial role in Vizianagaram attaining 100% coverage of the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Vizianagaram is the second district in the state after Nellore to achieve the feat.
According to Vizianagaram officials, only 2.9 lakh people had received the vaccination by July. The same district administered the vaccine to nearly 19 lakh beneficiaries to hit the 100% mark by December 17.
Vaccine hesitancy, fear and misinformation had affected the progress of the drive in the initial months, particularly in rural and tribal areas of the district.The distinct physical division between the plains and hilly terrain of the district and low literacy rates made it further difficult for officials to inoculate all eligible beneficiaries.
District officials embraced social and behavioural change communication to create awareness and instil confidence among the public. They visited hundreds of educational institutions and public places to explain the advantages of vaccination. Rallies were conducted in villages to improve the overall vaccine acceptance rates.
Vizianagaram district collector A Surya Kumari said the combined efforts of officials and field-level staff helped the district to cover all eligible beneficiaries. “The door-to-door vaccination drives also helped the district achieve 100% vaccination coverage,” said Surya Kumari.
Joint collector Dr Mahesh Kumar said the district is well prepared for any eventuality or even the third wave.