Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Kausa, Mumbra see poor response to Covid vaccine
TMC to rope in popular personalities, including religious leaders, to spread awareness
THANE: Though Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has completed 96 per cent immunisation, areas like Kausa and Mumbra have hardly seen 30 per cent vaccination. Owing to the low response, the civic body plans to rope in religious and political leaders to create awareness about the immunisation drive and to urge more people to come forward and get vaccinated.
“There are a few who are sceptical about getting vaccinated. We ensure every week some officer or a well-known personality gets vaccinated so that people are in loop about the immunisation process. There are some who have registered for the vaccination. However, they are still not convinced to get the shot. For this, we have a team who talks to them and creates awareness about the vaccine,” said Dr Vipin Sharma, commissioner, TMC.
As part of their efforts to create more awareness about Covid, the civic officials have roped in religious and political leaders. “We plan to take similar approach for the immunisation drive as well. The religious and political leaders or well-known faces help connect with the locals. This encourages them to follow their leaders and will hopefully lead to an increased number of vaccinations,” added a senior health officer, TMC.
From among those who have registered for the vaccination are Class 4 government employees, sanitation staff, ambulance drivers and ASHA workers.
Dr Alfarooq Raut, general practitioner, Mumbra, said, “Many of them remain sceptical about the vaccination process due to the various messages on social media and rumours about the side effects also make them nervous about the process. Most of us local physicians have repeatedly assured our staff about the vaccine and said that many top officials, senior doctors and non-medical staff have also taken the vaccine.”
Cops increase vigilance in twin cities
Strict vigilance against those not following Covid protocols has been initiated by the police in Kalyan and Dombivli.
Vivek Pansare, DCP, Zone 3, said, “We have been taking action since the last three days in residential areas and departmental stores that are seen flouting Covid protocols. We have filed three different cases under the Epidemic Act. More than five are booked and we will continue surveillance and take stringent action if rules are not followed. Housing societies host parties and allow residents to invite guests in large numbers. Moreover, many departmental stores are not following screening and temperature check guidelines.”