Public Worried After AP Halts Fresh Inoculations

The ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive in Andhra Pradesh was suspended some days ago when the Jagan government announced that it would focus first on administering the second dose of the vaccine to those who had already received the first.

About 53,58,712 people, awaiting the second injection, were to be vaccinated alongside those getting inoculated for the first time. However, the government was forced to halt any new vaccinations after a vaccine shortage hit the state. Since the second dose has to be taken within a stipulated amount of time, it was then decided that the vaccination of those awaiting the second dose would be prioritised.

However, the decision caused great alarm in those above 45. The demographic reportedly fears that the current second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will only be worsened if the immunisation drive is halted. This concern has prompted them to seek a government review of the decision to temporarily halt fresh vaccinations.

A total of 24.50 lakh unvaccinated people in AP are currently at risk after the Collectors of various districts of the state have announced a temporary suspension in the administration of the vaccine. The Chittoor, Vizianagaram, Krishna, Nellore, East Godavari, Kurnool, Guntur Prakasam and Kadapa districts are among those that have implemented the suspension.

The recent announcement that the vaccination program would now cater to those aged 18 and above had caused considerable happiness among the public as this meant that a larger number, earlier excluded from the drive, would now have a better shot at beating the fatal disease. This had triggered a sudden spike in the number of vaccine seekers as compared to figures during the first wave.

The initial vaccine hesitancy had largely been replaced by a desire to get immunised as soon as possible, driving up the demand for both Covaxin and Covishield. However, the state government soon announced that it would focus solely on vaccinating second-dose beneficiaries for the time being.

As more and more health experts continue to issue warnings about a far more severe third wave, many are concerned that the unvaccinated 45 to 60 year-olds will be left extremely vulnerable if the immunisation process is not resumed soon. Addressing these concerns, AP Principal Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal reassured the public that the state government would soon vaccinate the remaining population in a phased manner.