Tamil Nadu: Ariyalur vaccinates 99% of expectant mothers

ARIYALUR: Ariyalur district administration has covered 99% of the targeted antenatal mothers’ population under the Covid-19 vaccination drive. As of August 17, Ariyalur has vaccinated 7,091 of a total of 7,190 antenatal mothers, registering 99% coverage.
Apart from expecting mothers with a contraindication to the vaccination and mothers who recently recovered from the infection, the health department also covered those anticipating childbirth.
Health officials attributed the massive coverage to 125 village health nurses (VHN) who managed to interact with the pregnant women on a daily basis and persuaded them to take the jab. Those who expressed hesitation were not compelled, and instead their relatives who accompanied them were given the jab. Noticing that their relatives are normal, the pregnant women also agreed.
Dr V C Hemachand Gandhi, former deputy director of health services Ariyalur, was credited for the strategy to allow consultation for antenatal mothers on all days, so that the vulnerable population can be sensitised frequently. “High-risk mothers were sensitised directly by the medical officers and mobile units were used for doorstep vaccination,” said Dr R Geetharani, DDHS Ariyalur.
Nilgiris (77%) and Perambalur (68%) have achieved second and third places .