Door-to-door vaccinations

Letter September 30, 2021
A drastic rise in Covid-19 cases has been observed after the passing of periodic mass gathering events in the country

KARACHI:

The percentage of non-vaccinated individuals in Pakistan remains high because the government has failed to alter the mindset of the people, who remain hesitant and reluctant in getting inoculated. Many people have continuously ignored warnings, deadlines and SOPs. Therefore, the only way to address the low inoculation rate is to enforce a countrywide door-to-door vaccination campaign to make sure that all citizens are vaccinated properly.

A drastic rise in Covid-19 cases has been observed after the passing of periodic mass gathering events in the country. At present, many have taken the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases as a sign to avoid getting vaccinated altogether. However, the low number of fully vaccinated individuals and the flouting of SOPs have increased the risk of another wave. The government has made substantial efforts to inform people about the risk of the virus and the importance of prevention measures. Yet people have blatantly ignored it. A door-to-door vaccination campaign can increase vaccination rates to a great extent. Many people have been unable to get vaccinated because of physical impairments, critical health conditions, or the inability to travel. Therefore, a door-to-door drive will significantly benefit such people. Also, those considering vaccination as a matter of their own choice will not be able to avoid it because their CNIC numbers and locations will be recorded by the assigned vaccinators. This can also help the government taken strict action against such individuals.

It is imperative to increase the rate of vaccinations to avoid a hike in cases and deaths. This in turn will also help the healthcare system, which has already been under considerable strain due to several waves of Covid-19. The Delta variant has caused much destruction around the world. We must not wait and take our faith into our own hands.

Durr-e-Shahwar Siddiqui

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2021.

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