Bengaluru 11 August : Karnataka’s health minister Sudhakar expressed his concern about the lack of enthusiasm for Covid booster shots for vaccines from the general population.He stated that while the state has managed to achieve 100% coverage of the two Covid shots but just 17 percent of the population that is eligible have benefited from booster shots thus far. “Not getting the dose booster of the vaccine Covid-19 even after it’s been made available for free for all citizens is a sign of negligence, and as responsible citizens should avail the booster shot to boost the immunity of our children” Sudhakar said on Thursday.He was speaking to the media after an meeting of the technical advisory committee.
The minister explained the low coverage rate of boosters to the public’s apathy and overconfidence that nothing could occur to them because they had been through the Covid-19 wave that preceded them.
Noting that the whole country is witnessing an increase in the Covid positive rate Sudhakar declared that the positive percentage of Karnataka at 7.2 percent is less than states like Delhi where there is an 18 percent positive rate.However, the positive rate in cities such as Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Bagalkot and Bellary is higher than the average for the state, he pointed out.
Karnataka is conducting about 30,000 tests for Covid-19 every day.According to the regulations of the Union government only those who have symptoms are being examined.Even in cases of primary contacts only patients who have symptoms will be examined, according to Sudhakar.
Responding to a reporter’s question asking him on the cause of the lack of level of coverage Sudhakar stated that experts from all over the globe have confirmed that immunity decreases or decreases after a period of 6-7 months of taking the vaccine .Afterwards, the booster dose will be needed to boost the immune system again.The booster dose reduces deaths and hospitalizations, he added.
In response to the reports of private hospitals refusing to treat Covid patients The minister warned “No hospital should refuse treatment to a COV-19 patient with the excuse that they don’t care for patients with Covid-19.Every hospital has to treat these patients in isolation wards.
I have received numerous complaints from hospitals that denied treatment.This is not only inhumane and illegal, but it is also unlawful.If complaints are received, a strict action will be taken in accordance with the KPME and Epidemic Act.”
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