'Many in Karnataka missed 2nd Covid vaccine dose, booster shot'

BENGALURU: Nearly 14.3 lakh people in Karnataka have skipped the second dose of Covid vaccination, according to data released by the National Health Mission.
Speaking to STOI, Naveen Bhat, the director of National Health Mission, government of Karnataka, said: "As many as 3.96 crore people are due for their precautionary dose (third dose)." Currently, only 23% people in the state have taken the precaution dose
Coupled with a shortage of vaccines, these figures are now a cause for concern as the number of active Covid cases in the state crossed the 1,950-mark on Saturday.
On Saturday, Karnataka logged 377 fresh cases, with Bengaluru Urban alone reporting 263 new cases.
Among the other districts with the high Covid cases are Shivamogga (23), Davanagere (12), Kalaburagi (12), Ballari (9),Tumakuru (9) and Chikkamagaluru (7).
File sent to poll panel to get vaccine stock
Responding to a query on when Karnataka will receive the 2 lakh doses of Corbevax that it has ordered, Bhat said: "The file has been sent to the election screening committee for an exemption from the model code of conduct to procure vaccines. Once the state receives clearance from the Election Commission, an order will be placed with the manufacturer."
Bhat further said: "Mass vaccination drives will be planned based on vaccine availability and beneficiary numbers."
Dr MK Sudarshan, chairman, Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee, said: "In view of the recent surge in infections, largely due to variants of XBB (Omicron), slow rise in hospitalization and increase in deaths mostly among the elderly and co-morbids, it is strongly recommended that those above 60 years of age and those having comorbidities take the booster/precautionary dose of vaccination."
Hospitals on alert mode
Based on lessons learnt from mock drills, hospitals in Karnataka are gearing up to tackle a possible spike in Covid cases. "Everything is in place for Covid management and we've updated the health commissioner on the same," said Dr Manoj Kumar, dean of Bowring Hospital, Bengaluru.
"We have around 60 beds earmarked for Covid patients. In terms of infrastructure, we have sufficient ventilators and monitors. We also have a stock of 15,000 PPE kits and Covid medicines," he added.
Currently, four Covid patients are in the hospital.