COVID JABS: WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO TO IMPROVE TURNOUT?

While the world’ s largest vaccination drive is underway in India with two vaccines, the first few days of the drive in Mumbai saw healthcare workers turning out for vaccination in much lower numbers than expected. While glitches arose in the Co WIN registration a pp, some healthcare workers opted out because of their own apprehensions. This has caused some concern, as the general public will look to healthcare workers for ass ur an ce.FPJ asked its readers -` With lower than expected turn out seen at vaccination centre sin Mumbai, what should the government do to boost confidence among intended beneficiaries and improve the turn out ?’ Here’ s what across-section of Mu mb aika rs had to say:

Both central and state governments need to run dedicated awareness campaigns for the vaccines. At present, there are lots of rumours and it can be believed that many people are not turning out because of their apprehensions. It is the responsibility of the government to assure people that the vaccines are safe, and to strictly penalise those who are spreading the rumours.

— Amit Brahmankar, data analyst

The government should ensure that if anything goes wrong during the first shot of vaccination, further treatment expenses of the beneficiary would be paid by the state government. In fact, the government should provide a medical kit equipped with medicines if there are any specific side effects of the shot, to instil faith in people's minds. — Dhirendra Jha, 29, entrepreneur

Most of those who did not receive the vaccine were concerned about the possible side effects. Awareness about the same is needed. Some beneficiaries complained that they received intimation only hours before the drive began. Therefore, the process of intimation also needs to improve.

— Amol Patil, software engineer

Healthcare workers should make videos of themselves getting inoculated against the COVID-19 infection. Also, healthcare workers should speak about the facts and truths related to the vaccine to dispel myths and reduce fear among the common people. In addition, the government should initiate awareness camps and answer queries raised by the common masses regarding the vaccination. Confidence among intended beneficiaries will be boosted only when the government is transparent and vocal to share information related to the vaccine.

— Anisha Chatterjee, public relations consultant

I think there are many rumours about the effectiveness of the vaccine and its side effects. Many frontline workers also feel that they have battled the virus for almost a year and won it, so why take the vaccine now? I think the authorities should clear their doubts and make them aware that the vaccine will only increase their immunity even further, and precaution is better than cure.

— Amogh Pawar, banker

Proper management and a few health benefits offered by the government would not hurt in increasing the turnout. Moreover, there should be complete transparency in the process.

If a health worker misses their turn of the vaccine shot, there should be a specific time to redeem themselves, as not everyone would be free at the same particular time.

— Laxmi Kware, 35, relationship manager

There is a need for awareness amongst the general public and healthcare workers related to both Covishield and Covaxin so that people should not hesitate to take the vaccines. So far, there isn’t enough information on efficacy, which is why for the last three sessions, less number of beneficiaries have turned out at the centres. Healthcare workers who have taken the vaccine know the intensity of it. So the government should create awareness about it.

— Suman Singh, health coordinator

The government should create a vaccination cell in all hospitals and other essential service provider offices. It will generate data for the government, and meanwhile the work of vaccination will also go on swiftly. Publicity should be done creating awareness that the vaccines are safe and approved by medical experts and have no major issues.

— Sumit Darekar, Andheri resident

It's great to see that the vaccine is available in such a short period of time. However, the frontline workers who are chosen to be the first recipients don’t seem too excited about its use. I think it's because they fear the vaccine's side effects. The authorities should spread awareness and make them aware about how the vaccine will not only build immunity against the virus, but also keep their family members safe.

— Surbhi Pawar, lab assistant

The state government should offer some incentive to healthcare workers for taking vaccination. It is not a bribe, but building confidence among essential service providers who really worked hard in the initial crucial months of the lockdown when the risk of the virus spreading was high. By giving incentives, healthcare workers will have confidence that their family will be taken care of in case of any kind of untoward accident. Moreover, it will create word of mouth publicity of the vaccination drive.

— Kamlesh Sawant, designer and DTP operator

I believe the government will have to set an example by taking the shot themselves. The ministers led by the CM, along with the top level bureaucracy, should go for vaccination. Also doctors from premiere hospitals should join the wagon. And this should be publicized as much as possible so as to instil confidence among the intended beneficiaries that it's safe to go for vaccination — Khyati Sheth, la wye r