Delhi: A Day After R-Day Mayhem, C-Vax Turnout Slips To 80%

New Delhi: Delhi’s Covid vaccination turnout slipped to 80.8% on Wednesday, two days after it touched 91.5% amid growing acceptance of vaccine among healthcare workers. A total of 6,545 out of 8,100 people got the jab, and only 12 minor adverse events were reported across 11 districts.

The turnout, however, is showing a steady growth since vaccination began. It was only 53% on the first day, while it was 73% on Thursday and 86% on Saturday.

Authorities blamed the dip in the turnout on Wednesday to the chaos reported at various places in the capital during farmers’ tractor parade a day earlier. “Many people who were listed to get the jab avoided travel due to the violence reported on Tuesday. Even the attendance in some of the hospitals and the number of walk-ins were low,” said an official.

Lok Nayak Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital reported 100% turnout while many hospitals, which had reported 100% turnout on Monday, could not repeat the feat. “The dip is not related to hesitation among the healthcare workers. The demand for vaccines has gone up and healthcare workers are eager to get the shots,” said a health department official, hoping that the turnout may increase to its highest point in the days to come.

Dr Seema Roy, consultant gynaecologist at a private hospital in west Delhi, received the shot. “I am fine and feeling more confident after vaccination. I do not have any adverse effect post vaccination and I am back to my usual work. I would request medical fraternity and other healthcare workers to come forward and get themselves vaccinated,” Roy said.

A number of measures taken by Delhi government, including allowing walk-ins, counselling and mobilising healthcare workers and promoting feedback of vaccinated individuals, are also among the reasons for growing turnout.

Across all the hospitals, many healthcare workers not included in the list of persons to be vaccinated, walked in to get the jab. Out of 100 people vaccinated at Lok Nayak Hospital, 55 were walk-ins.

Despite the overall dip, the turnout was higher in North East district, which reported 220 vaccinations compared with 197 during the last session. North district also reported higher turnout at 322 compared with 285 during the last session. The dip was witnessed in the remaining nine districts.

At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where only 48 people turned up for vaccination, an official said that travel restrictions led to a low turnout. “We are centrally located. The restrictions on travel by road imposed after clashes between farmers and Delhi Police happened on Tuesday brought down our vaccination count. Many workers did not even report to work,” added the official.

According to a government report, one of 294 persons administered ‘Covaxin’ and 11 out of 6,251 people given ‘Covishield’ reported minor adverse events. Minor issues in some people post inoculation is common for almost all vaccines.