VISAKHAPATNAM: Nearly 1.4 crore of targeted population in Andhra Pradesh is yet to be vaccinated with either the first Covid dose or both. This is around 35 percent of the total targeted population of 3.95 crore people. A saving grace is that 95 percent of people have been given the first Coronavirus dose in all 13 districts of the state as of now.
Health experts feel 35 per cent population still remaining unvaccinated fully is insufficient to effectively face the looming third wave. As Omicron variant is already active across the world and is spreading fast, it is better to complete full vaccination by the end of this month. Experts also want the state government to disallow large gatherings on December 31.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Andhra Medical College principal Dr. P.V. Sudhakar said, “Eligible people are voluntarily coming forward to get vaccinated at the earliest as a safety measure. People who have taken only a single dose need to take the second too to increase their immunity.”
Districts like Srikakulam, Guntur, East Godavari and Kurnool are lagging behind in vaccination of both doses. They have so far achieved an average of only 65 per cent.
Srikakulam district has the lowest coverage in all parameters. Overall, Chittoor tops all districts in full vaccination since vaccination began in AP at Vijayawada on January 16, 2021.
Volunteers of a total of 15,001 village and ward secretariats in AP are continuously working to achieve targets set by the government in vaccination. In districts like Vizianagaram, Nellore and East Godavari volunteers are getting people vaccinated even in their neighbouring precincts.
Andhra Pradesh has been allocated more than 6 crore vaccine doses by centre so far. This apart, state government has procured more than 25 lakh doses on its own.
Covid Vaccination in AP (As on Dec. 17)
| District | 1st Dose Percentage | 2nd Dose Percentage |
| Nellore | 100.6 | 75.1 |
| Vizianagaram | 100.1 | 67.3 |
| Prakasam | 99.6 | 75.5 |
| Kurnool | 98.1 | 69 |
| Anantapur | 97.4 | 71.6 |
| Kadapa | 97.2 | 71.2 |
| East Godavari | 96.7 | 66.8 |
| Chittoor | 96.4 | 80 |
| West Godavari | 96.2 | 72.8 |
| Krishna | 96.1 | 75.1 |
| Guntur | 95.8 | 63.7 |
| Visakhapatnam | 95.6 | 73.8 |
| Srikakulam | 95.3 | 62.5 |
* Targeted population in AP: 3, 95,22,000
* Unvaccinated people in AP: 1.43 crore
* Unvaccinated population: 36 per cent
