Neyaz Elahi
Srinagar (NVI): As the Covid-19 vaccine administration was launched in Kashmir, most of the health workers have refused to take the vaccine shots in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The behavior of the health workers puzzled top officials who believe they did not take vaccine shots out of fear.
To administer Covid-19 vaccine to some 4,000 health workers, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir had chosen 90 locations across the Valley.
While health workers in other locations administered shots without any disturbance, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, majority of the health workers showed reluctance.
Sources said that authorities had set up two locations in the district. 100 health workers each were supposed to get COVID-19 vaccine at Government Medical College and Sub-District Hospital Bijbehara respectively.
Insiders said that out of 100, only 29 health workers were administered vaccine at Sub-District Hospital Bijbehara.
Out of the people who were administered vaccine, only 6 were doctors.
“They are frontline workers with top-priority access to the Covid-19 vaccine, but they are refusing to take it. I am shocked. I believe, they are doing this out of fear,” Chief Medical Officer Anantnag, Dr Muktar Ahmed said.
A medico who willingly took vaccine shot said that the scientific evidence is clear regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines after trials. “May be we can say skepticism remains there.”
Another health worker suggested that authorities can persuade reluctant workers by using instructional videos and ensure them this vaccine is safe and secure.
Sources said that at some other locations too, health workers declined to take the vaccine.
Principal, Government Medical College, Anantnag, Dr Showkat Jeelani said that he is himself surprised and is on his way to these hospitals to ascertain the facts.
-CHK
