BENGALURU: With the state administering Covid-19 vaccines only to priority groups in the 18-44 years age category, inoculation coverage among youngsters is progressing at a slow pace and it could have repercussions if a third wave hits sooner than anticipated.
At a health and family welfare department meeting on July 15, officials discussed ramping up coverage for those in this age group. As of July 15 morning, 26% or 84,18,221 of the total population of 3,26,75,660 in the 18-44 years category have received at least one dose.
Bengaluru Urban district has the highest coverage — 60% — where 4,55,320 had taken the first dose out of a population of 7,56,471. In BBMP limits, 26,46,169 or 39% of the estimated population of 67,24,141 had got the first dose. Chikkamagaluru and Haveri had the least coverage at 14%. While vaccination for the category formally opened on May 1, government facilities soon restricted it only to priority groups. Eighty-one days later, only priority groups are eligible for free vaccination at government centres, while others have to shell out huge sums to get the jab in private hospitals.
Asked if the state planned to extend free vaccination for all above 18 years, health commissioner KV Trilok Chandra said it would depend on supply of doses. However, shots are available in private vaccination centres.
Considering that the worst affected during the second wave in the state were those aged between 30-39 years, there are concerns about safeguarding this younger, moving population, ahead of a possible third wave.
“While the drive is not open for all, the government has covered several priority groups in the younger age group,” said a member of the state Covid task force. “It will have to be done phasewise given the huge population of 3.2 crore. All students above 18 are currently being vaccinated in colleges. All vulnerable groups including those with comorbidities as well as family members of healthcare workers are also being covered.”
Four districts have administered less than one lakh first doses for the 18-44 group. Ruling out hesitancy as a problem, health officials from some districts with poor coverage say supply is not on par with their capacity and they are using up whatever is provided to them.
“We have college students demanding vaccination to be extended to their siblings of eligible age and friends who are college dropouts,” an official said. “Many people in this age group travel from villages to towns every day for work. They are all highly vulnerable. Many in this age group have died in villages. But government rules and shortage of doses prevent us from inoculating them.”
Besides, not many private hospitals provide vaccines in these districts which is another reason for the low coverage. Private hospitals in Bengaluru confirm that they are getting youngsters from other districts seeking vaccination.
