83% Kashmir healthcare workers avoid vaccine: medical doctors’ body

The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), a Srinagar-based medical doctors’ body, on Friday claimed that over 80 p.c healthcare workers in Kashmir have “avoided inoculation of COVID-19 vaccine”.

“More than 80% of the healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, in Kashmir are opting against COVID-19 vaccine,” DAK president and influenza knowledgeable Dr. Nisar-ul-Hassan, who works within the government-run Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, stated.

Official figures stated that out of seven,000 healthcare workers on the Government Medical College, Srinagar, and its related hospitals, only one,167 (16.67 p.c) had acquired the vaccine as on February 9.

Dr. Hassan stated, “5,833 workers [83.33%] have opted out of the vaccine.”

A serious concern

Such a big share of medical personnel declining to take the vaccine was a serious concern. “It is a troubling development, especially since healthcare workers are at the higher risk of contracting the virus and their sickness would mean disruption of the healthcare delivery system,” Dr. Hassan famous.

He warned that non-vaccinated employees have the potential to transmit the illness to sufferers, who’re susceptible to COVID-19 associated issues and demise. “Most frequent explanation for the hesitancy is mistrust and misinformation. Some simply want to wait as they are fearful of being first in line,” he acknowledged.

He admitted that if healthcare workers had been reluctant for the vaccine it will be an enormous problem to persuade the overall inhabitants to take the vaccine.

According to the official figures, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1.25 lakh virus-affected sufferers and noticed 1,947 deaths, which included 722 within the Jammu division and 1,225 within the Kashmir division.

The administration has carried out 47.76 lakh checks to date.