By: Sajid Raina
Bandipora: After covering remote areas, authorities in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district have now started the special vaccination drive against Covid-19 pandemic for the fisherman working in Wular lake.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bandipora, Dr Masrat Iqbal said that around 250 fisherman working in Wular-Lake at Zurimanz (Bangladesh) village have been vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic while the drive would continue in coming days for left out people.
“Despite repeated efforts, it was hard to find fishermen at their homes during the day following which our medical team went to the lake and vaccinated the fisherman there only,” Masrat said.
The BMO said that during the drive many fishermen were reluctant to take the shot as they feared it would cause severe side effects but the medical team persuaded them to take the vaccine and around 250 fishermen have been vaccinated so far.
“We don’t wait for people, we go to people. This is the campaign that has been started by our vaccination team,” he said.
While appreciating the efforts of ground workers, Masrat said 89 percent of the target age group of the district has been vaccinated so far.
Meanwhile, a local fisherman said that after the medical team’s persuasion, they all got vaccinated.
“Earlier people had the misconception about vaccines but a team of doctors explained to the villagers its benefits after which we agreed to take the vaccine, ” Abdul Gani, a local said.
“It is the first time in my life that a team of doctors and medical staff has come to our village and vaccinated people. They also checked the patients who are sick at their homes,” Mohammad Sultan, an 80 year-old resident said.
Earlier, Vewan village of the district has become the first village in India to record 100 percent inoculation of people above 18 years of age for Covid-19. (KNO)