Karnataka: All in 104 villages in Haveri get first shot of Covid-19 vaccine

HAVERI: In a district that gained notoriety for Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, 104 villages in Haveri have achieved 100% first-dose coverage. The laudable feat came on the back of hard work from authorities, who had to make multiple trips to villages to convince the people to take the shot.
With vaccine supply steadying, district officials conducted special vaccination camps and back-to-back ‘Lasika melas’ to achieve the feat.Local bodies conducted regular door-to-door campaigns in these villages, most of which are in rural pockets of the district.
“We have achieved 83% first-dose coverage across the district, and we’ll soon vaccinate the remaining eligible population,” said Dr Jayanand, district reproductive child health officer and nodal officer for Covid-19 vaccination. “So far, nearly 10 lakh first-doses have been administered and nearly three lakh second-doses. Of this, 97,000 doses have been administered in these 104 villages. We achieved 100% first-dose coverage in Hirekerur taluk and Aladagere (8,086 doses), Hattimattur (5,804), Kadakol (3,444) and Hurulikoppi (3,326) in Savanur taluk.”
He said the district is getting sufficient supply of doses every day and local authorities plan to increase the number of sessions. “Initially, people had to wait in long queues due to shortage of doses,” said an official. “But now, health staff are administering jabs at doorsteps, so its hassle-free. In fact, during Lasika melas, authorities are finding it hard to get eligible people.”