This story is from December 4, 2021

Only Bhandara and Gondia have 50%+ 2nd dose coverage in Vidarbha

Only Bhandara and Gondia have 50%+ 2nd dose coverage in Vidarbha
Nagpur: Only two districts out of the 11 in Vidarbha — Bhandara and Gondia — have surpassed the 50% mark in coverage of second dose of Covid-19 vaccine, shows data released by the state health department.
The second dose coverage is very important in order to complete the vaccination and provide full protection from serious disease and death to the eligible people.

Compared to the state average, Bhandara, Gondia, Nagpur, Washim and Wardha districts in the region have better second dose coverage than Maharashtra’s 42.3% overall average. In all other districts, less than 40% of the eligible people have taken the second dose.
With this, it’s nearly impossible for the region to achieve 100% vaccination by December 31.
However, the second dose coverage of Nagpur division is better than other parts of the state. Deputy director of health, Nagpur division, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal said joint efforts have made it possible. “Apart from above 50% coverage of the second dose in Gondia and Bhandara, Nagpur district has also covered nearly 50% adults with the second dose. Gadchiroli is the only district where second dose coverage is less than 35%. We are working on it,” said Dr Jaiswal.

Bhandara collector Sandip Kadam said the district has always been in the top five in the state. “Awareness and cooperation by locals made Bhandara the first district in Vidarbha to achieve 50%-plus vaccination coverage of the second dose. We are also hopeful to cross 65% soon,” he said.
The situation in Amravati division is, however, alarming. Barring Washim, no other district out of the five in the division has more than 40% of the second dose coverage. Amravati, the divisional headquarters, has only 31.1% population covered with the second dose, which is even less than tribal-dominated Gadchiroli. Yavatmal (30.57%) is at the bottom while the divisional headquarters of health department Akola has covered only 31.1% adults with the second dose.
Akola collector Neema Arora said the administration has been taking all necessary initiatives to boost the vaccination. “We have organized a cycle rally on December 4. Many events and rush outs to rural population are under way,” she said.
Akola’s resident deputy collector Sanjay Khadse said the number of second dose coverage will see surge in the second half of December, because many have taken the first dose late.
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About the Author
Chaitanya Deshpande

Chaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He has a PG degree in English literature and Mass communication. Chaitanya covers public health, medical issues, medical education, research in the fields of medicine, microbiology, biotechnology. He also covers culture, fine arts, theatre, folk arts, literature, and life. Proficient in Marathi and Hindi along with English, Chaitanya loves music, theatre and literature of all three languages.

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