Amid the hard times when Covid curve is straightening alarmingly, a survey by a community social media platform has hinted that vaccine hesitancy among people might be lessening fast. It’s actually the hour’s need since very soon India is going to face a global rebuke for emerging as the world’s Covid capital. If the last four days’ chart is taken into account, clearly, it’s an ominous sign and Saturday’s national data showed that within a single day there has been an increase of more than 15000+ cases, taking daily the caseload to 1.45+ lakh. The 4-day vaccine festival starting Sunday is thus going to be hugely important for all states and it’s time for all eligible citizens to shelve doubts and participate unfailingly. It’s noteworthy that the states have set their individual targets of vaccination for it and Arunachal must also do all it can to reach its own. But since it’s voluntary, percentage of success will ultimately rest on people’s turnout.
The relevancy of the study conducted by LocalCircles, a community social media platform and released a week ago has suddenly increased due to the renewed fearful march of the virus. It must be remembered that in Phase I which covered frontline and health workers, a good amount of reluctance was noticeable and unfortunately the mindset had a negative impact on the general populace. ‘Wait and watch’ seemed to be the prevailing mood that still persists. However, such conservative thinking will lead to a street of no return for all as the virus purportedly has a new strain now, deadlier than its predecessor. This chief finding of the study that was based on the revelations made by over 27,000 respondents in 299 districts is that gradually the hesitancy is showing encouraging signs of lessening. In the earlier days of vaccination launched nation-wide on January 16 when the willingness to take the dual shots was around 38%, in the beginning of April it has risen to 77%. All across the world when there are increasing talks on side-effects, the survey has found that 52 % had no side effects at all, 17 % suffered arm soreness, 13 % body ache and arm soreness, 10% from a combination of fever, body ache and arm soreness and only 2 % complained of side-effects severe than the above. From the medical viewpoint, all these are absolutely normal and shouldn’t invite extraordinary worries. Last but not least, 75 % of respondents believe it’s high time to open vaccination for all in the 18-45 age group, the longing that has been ruled out by the Health Ministry unfortunately.
Nevertheless, the vaccine festival must be taken seriously and participated by all those eligible. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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