Inoculations: Eradicate fear

Jammu and Kashmir unlike the other states or Union Territories is far behind in the percent of people who have been inoculated so far. The process of vaccination was started by the Prime Minister on Jan 16, 2021 from the frontline workers, doctors and other paramedics. However, J&K has not achieved the set target so far as only twin districts of the Union Territory have achieved 100 per cent vaccination of 45 age groups while other 18 districts are far behind. There are reports coming to the fore that the rural masses are hesitant in getting vaccinated and there are scores of rumors being circulated among them about the COVID-19 jabs. As the population hailing from the countryside has least access to modern technologies and information, it is high time for the government to understand the gravity of the situation and devise a well planned strategy to get the fears out of the minds of the people. The government can well put in service the traditional media platforms to address and eradicate the doubts and mis-conceptions related to the vaccines in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. After cities and towns, the deadly virus has begun to show its spike in rural areas and that it is high time for the government to reach out to the masses and make them aware about the vaccine efficacy and how by getting jabs, they could keep the disease at bay.