Bengaluru: When state government announced Measles and Rubella vaccination drive for all children in the age bracket of 9 months and 15 years it was assumed that all parents may turn up voluntarily. But contrary to this, even nearly 10 days after the launch of the campaign, state government is finding it extremely difficult to reach all the kids. Thanks to the stiff resistance from parents.
According to the data for February 18, out of targeted 1,65,96,328 children, only 57.3% of kids were able to be vaccinated in the first ten days. Least number of vaccination percentage is reported from Bengaluru city.
According to the data, in the BBMP limits till date only 38.26% of kids were vaccinated. This means in next 10 days (before February 28, last day of the drive), 62% children must be covered. But many feel that it is impossible as most of the schools and parents are against the vaccination.
According to the officials, even though all the schools are directed to co operate with this drive, most of the schools are declining to join hands stating parents are against it. “Schools have asked the parents to sign the vaccination consent letter. But most of the parents have declined to sign stating they have already vaccinated their kids against measles,” said an officer from health department. “This has led to poor percentage,” he said.
Udupi tops the chart
Meanwhile, as expected, Udupi district has topped the chart with highest vaccination percentage. According to the data 73.59% of kids in Udupi district were vaccinated in last ten days. “A total of 1,77,645 kids of Udupi district were vaccinated,” sources confirmed.
Udupi is followed by Hassan with 71.27 pc and Kodagu with 70.75 pc.
The districts which has poor turnout are BBMP with 38.26 pc, Yadgir with 44.64 pc and Gulbarga with 47.5 pc.
