The rumours and apprehensions about the Covid vaccination is slowly but surely now fading away with a lot more senior citizens coming forward for getting the first jab. It is good that amid the rise in Covid-19 cases, several religious scholars of the valley administrated the first dose of vaccine’ during inoculation drive, organized by the divisional administration at the valley’s lone tertiary care hospital, SKIMS Soura on Saturday last.
Around a dozen clerics and Islamic scholars from different parts of the valley were put under observation after administering the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine.
Since religious beliefs were also put forth by a section of religious leaders, the drive was organized with an aim to encourage people for vaccination. Imaam’s and Khateeb’s from different Wakf Board affiliated shrines and mosques were administered jab.
Those who were administered the first dose of Covid vaccine, termed rumors that the vaccine is ‘ineffective’ or have negative side-effects as baseless and appealed people to come forward in large number to get them vaccinated so as to keep the deadly pandemic at bay.
This initiative was taken by the Divisional Administration to motivate and rope in the religious scholars Covid vaccination drive will have a positive impact among the people in Jammu and Kashmir to go for inoculation with an open mind. More number of vulnerable section of the society covered under vaccination will reduce the risk of further spread of Carona infection particularly in Kashmir valley which is reporting more infected cases in comparison to the Jammu region.
Importantly, they also urged people to follow Covid-19 SOPs including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing in letter and spirit even during their prayers to prevent Covid transmission.
Director SKIMS, Dr AG Ahangar claimed that uphill efforts of the frontline workers controlled the deadly virus from spreading further in the valley, at a time; pandemic has taken an ugly shape in other parts of the world.
The initiative would send a positive message to defend against baseless rumours associated with the vaccine.
