Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 12: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said that most of the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in Kashmir is opting out of Covid-19 vaccine.
President DAK Dr Nisar Ul Hassan in a statement said that more than 80 per cent of the healthcare workers have turned down the vaccine.
“Out of 7,000 healthcare workers at Government Medical College Srinagar and its associated hospitals, only 1,167 (16.67 per cent) have received the vaccine as on February 09. 5, 833 workers (83.33 per cent) have opted out of the vaccine,” he said.
He said that such a large percentage of medical personnel declining to take the vaccine is a major concern.
“It is a troubling development, especially since healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting the virus and their sickness would mean disruption of healthcare delivery system.”
He warned that unvaccinated staff has the potential to transmit the disease to patients who are vulnerable to Covid related complications and death.
Another reason for reluctance is that most healthcare workers are young and they feel invincible. “Some simply want to wait as they are fearful of being first in line.”
He said that those who have recovered from Covid-19 believe that they don’t need the vaccine. “Vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers will have implications on vaccine coverage among the population,” Dr Nisar said.
He impressed that vaccine confidence among healthcare workers is vital in promoting public vaccine confidence.”
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