Vaccination: Time to cover 100% population

Since January this year, there is something to cheer about as the government itself informed that 98% of the population above 18 years of age have been given their first dose of COVID vaccination in J&K. Notably, vaccine is the only way out to fight the deadly pandemic as there is no other medicine or vaccine available so far, which would help in combating the virus. The people earlier showed reluctance with regard to getting inoculations, but after the passage of nine months, the people finally turned up to the vaccination centres to get inoculated to fight the pandemic. According to the government figure, at least seven districts across Jammu and Kashmir have completed 100% vaccination. Seven districts including Anantnag, Budgam and Shopian in Kashmir and Ramban, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division have completed 100 percent vaccination of all above 18. The figures reveal that in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, out of 9,38,065 people of above 18 age group, 9,24,828 (99 percent) have received first jab and 3,06,536 (41 percent) have received second jab. However, the figures further reveal that Kupwara in northern Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu division are lagging behind. At this juncture when the health experts are still predicting the third Covid wave, there is a need to vaccinate all the unvaccinated people at an earliest to ensure that the possible 3rd wave wouldn’t affect the situation like earlier. The administrations in all the districts where the target is yet to be achieved, should work in tandem and ensure that 100 per cent population in their respective districts are vaccinated at earliest to fight the pandemic tooth and nail.