Covid Vaccines Aplenty: Why Are People Not Coming Forward To Get Jabbed?
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
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By Linus Garg
First publised on 2021-11-24 08:29:13
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
India is now facing a problem of plenty in Covid vaccines. With production having multiplied four times from May this year, the country is likely to produce 31 crore doses in December, up from the already substantial production of around 28 crore doses in November. But the problem is that the adult population which is not vaccinated till now is showing hesitancy, with even a huge number of second dose recipients missing their due date. This has meant that the states and UTs are holding 21.64 crore unused doses.
The requirement for vaccine doses suddenly nosedived in November. Out of a total availability of 32.04 crore doses, just 10.4 crore doses were given till the 21st of the month. It seems that as the fears of the third wave have receded for now, people are becoming relaxed. Coupled with this is the fact that many single dose and even fully vaccinated persons are getting infected with cornavirus. Due to this, skeptics are questioning the efficacy or usefulness of the vaccines and many people are not booking slots to take the jab. Further, many people think that since they roamed about in public during the festival season in October-November without getting infected, they are not at risk.
This is a dangerous trend as vaccines remain the best shield for preventing the virus from spreading and starting a third wave. It also reduces the risk of serious illness even if a fully vaccinated person is infected with a new virus variant. The government is doing its bit by highlighting the benefits of getting vaccinated and introducing disincentives like making it compulsory to show the fully vaccinated certificate before allowing entry in many public places and offices. The private sector is also prodding people to take the jab by offering discounts and freebies. Short of a door-to-door campaign (even that is being undertaken in some place) all efforts are being made to at least give the first dose to the entire adult population before the end of this year.
So what can the Centre, the states and UTs do? Nothing much, other than starting a door-to-door vaccination drive or forcing people to take the jab by making it mandatory. But that would be unethical as taking the vaccine is a matter of personal choice and there is no law in India which says that people have to get jabbed. Disincentives should work as people barred entry from places of work or leisure would definitely get jabbed but it seems that the checking and verification process (at the gates of public parks or malls and multiplexes, for instance) is not being followed with the required seriousness. The unvaccinated people in India have to realize that they are putting their health and that of their family, relatives and friends and also the whole community at risk by being hesitant. They should come forward and get jabbed.
Pic courtesy: edX.org
