Tribal Community In Odisha’s Ganjam Villages Unwilling To Take COVID Jabs

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Buguda: People in Golia panchayat under Buguda block in Ganjam district are unwilling to take COVID jabs despite full efforts by the officials to convince them.

Vaccination centres in Golia, Badua, Chikiripada and Kushapalli wear a deserted look as none turns up despite repeated requests from the officials to visit the centres for vaccination.

Golia Sarpanch said, “Villagers instead ask the officials if they will be responsible for their death after taking the jab.” He said the tribal community in the region are apprehensive after the recent deaths of a 55-year-old woman and a pregnant lady. They had taken coronavirus vaccine and subsequently suffered high fever.

Officials said not a single person has taken the coronavirus jab in the tribal-dominated villages like Mareipalli and Dahanipalli who are hellbent on not getting vaccinated as they have harboured a lot of misconception on vaccination.

ANM Reshma Swain said she had tried her best to convince the villagers of Kushapalli to visit vaccination centres but nothing helped. Swain said despite a lot of endeavours a couple of youth could get the jabs.

The health officials said they are at their wits’ end as to how they will convince the people in the tribal-dominated areas of the block. They have been directed to complete the target of vaccination of 45+ age group persons by June 16. However, given the prevailing situation, this seems impossible.

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