SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: In India, only 42,052,081 crore people have been vaccinated so far while only 8,88,16,031 crore people have received their second dose of COVID vaccine i.e, 7-8 per cent people have received their second dose.
But in Jammu and Kashmir more than 98 percent of its 45 plus population has been vaccinated and process is going on a very fast to achieve cent percent target in coming days.
According to official data revealed on July 23, more than 99 percent of people over 45 years of age have now been fully vaccinated in Jammu and Kashmir.
Out of 20 districts, 13 districts including Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch and Samba have already achieved cent percent vaccination coverage in 45+ age group, while district Kishtwar is at 96.87 per cent, Ramban 94.75 per cent, Kathua 94.59 per cent, Srinagar 91.77 per cent, Reasi 89.56 per cent, and Kupwara at the lowest with 78.52 per cent vaccination.
Meanwhile vaccination for 18+ age group is going on in full swing across Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir has a total population of 1.4 crores, and so far, 57,25,622 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administrated.
While interacting with STATE TIMES, official said there was hesitancy among people for vaccination, but micro-planning and engagement with authorities at district and Panchayat levels, as well as with religious leaders, helped expediting earlier vaccination drive.
According to data shown on Cowin website, that Jammu and Kashmir is at present leading 57,25,622 doses having been administrated, out of which 46,39,331 people have taken their first dose while 10,86.291 people got there second dose as well.
For hassle free COVID vaccination, 1,135 centers have been established by Jammu and Kashmir Administration with only four private vaccination centres, while 1,131 are Govt. vaccination Centres where free vaccination is being provided to all.
According to data 55,14,369 doses of Covishield and 190,157 doses of Covaxin have been provided to people so far.
Official data also revealed that 1.49,275 people who are above age group of 60 years have been inoculated anti-COVID vaccine , 23,80,593 between age group of 45-60 years, and 1,852,198 people in 18 – 44 years age-group received their first dose of COVID vaccine, among which 33,54,323 are males while 27,70,292 are females.
In 13 districts of the country to achieve 100 per cent vaccination in the 45-plus age group are from Jammu and Kashmir, and other 7 districts including Srinagar are also nearing completion.
However, it is not time to celebrate as districts like Kupwara is still lagging behind, with 78.52 per cent in 45-plus age group so far.
Vaccination for 18-44 years age group, which was opened up countrywide on May Ist, is underway in all districts.
Director Health Kashmir Dr Mustaq Ahmad Rather told STATE TIMES that while vaccine hesitancy among people was a concern in Kashmir valley particularly in Srinagar and Kupwara districts in the beginning, but it has been overcome now.
“In coming days very soon we will achieve 100 percent vaccination in Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Mushtaq further said.
Officials thanked religious leaders for playing a key-role in spreading awareness, which led to 100 per cent vaccination in 45-plus age group in many districts in Kashmir.
“Kashmir has different challenges and that is why religious leaders were roped in here. In Jammu, officials don’t face such challenges, authorities sought help of community and Panchayat leaders, whose words have resonance with the people, to impart awareness.