Within a week of gaining momentum, the vaccination drive in the city is losing steam again. Against around 19,000 vaccines a day towards the end of May, 12,086 persons were vaccinated on Thursday.

The drive had earlier begun on a bitter note with the administration being targeted for not being able to provide sufficient vaccines even when people were looking to get the jab. After this, people were unable to get vaccines slots online and could do so only after several attempts. With no walk-in facility, prior registration and scheduling of vaccine was a must.

Now, when vaccines as well as slots are available online, people lose interest. Workers of political parties and other organisations have also been relaying information regarding sessions where slots are available.

Officials said that 20,000 persons of the 18-44 years age group can be vaccinated every day across 100 centres. Apart from this, vaccination of other age groups is also continuing including second doses.

The fall in numbers has been more significant for the past couple of days. It fell by over 2,200 on Wednesday as compared to Tuesday. The fall was even more drastic with vaccination nose diving by over 4,200 again on Thursday.

Officials too have expressed concern and said that the session sites were increased in large numbers following several complaints. Now, these will have to be reduced again. The sites were increased to 100 in the last week of May.

Within 14 days, it already seems to be much higher than the actual vaccination. VMC medical officer (health) Dr Devesh Patel, however, said that the sudden fall does not seem to be due to vaccine hesitancy. “When there was rush everyone was keen to get a vaccine. Now, things are the other way around,” said Patel, adding that steps to create awareness and ensure high vaccination were under consideration.

Members of the elected wing of the VMC are also looking to adopt means to ensure high vaccination.

Sources said that the decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases also seems to have contributed to lower vaccination as people are no longer in a hurry to get vaccinated and may do so at their convenience. The relaxation in restrictions also seems to have made people busy on the work front with vaccination taking the backseat.

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