Fall in Covid cases, exams dent drive to vaccinate 12-14 year olds

Nischith N. | NT

The Covid vaccination drive for children in the 12-14 years category is floundering in the city. The turnout has been poor across all the BBMP zones, comprising Yelahanka, Dasarahalli, Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bommanahalli, South Zone, West Zone, East Zone and Mahadevapura.

According to the reports, Bengaluru (BBMP zones) has 2,81,542 children aged between 12 and 14 who are eligible for the vaccination, which was recently kickstarted by the Central government. The BBMP data shows just over 12,000 vaccine doses have been administered so far.

“Overall, the pace of vaccination is slower for this age group, except in some centres, where we can see some crowd,” said a BBMP health official. They feel the response is weak as the annual examinations are to begin soon.

As per figures shared by the Health department, the state has set a target of vaccinating 24,52,655 children in the 12-14 age-group. The other districts with the high targets are Belagavi 1,95,314, Kalaburagi 1,26,577, Ballari 1,25,874 and Mysuru 1,12,528. It is claimed that the state has a stock of 20 lakh doses of vaccine.

“It is all because of the exams and fall in Covid cases. This has made the parents reluctant to take their children to vaccination centres. I request all parents to get their children vaccinated and they are easily available. We hope that after exams things will fall in place,” says Dr A.S. Balasundar, chief health officer, BBMP.

The drive was announced by the Central government on March 16. As per the guidelines, children belonging to the age group of 12 to 14 will be provided Corbevax jabs, manufactured by Biological E. Limited.