Data obtained by the health department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has revealed that vaccination in Muslim pockets is very low.

Ever since the Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination drive was kicked off by the authorities in the city, they have been battling several hurdles; parents are also panicked about the side effects of the vaccine.

In certain communities, especially the Muslims, there is belief that it will make the children impotent. The state government, however, clarified saying it is 100 per cent safe and parents should get a dose of MR vaccine administered to their children aged up to 15 years.

The campaign was launched two weeks ago and despite several attempts, in certain AMC pockets, authorities have not even reached 25 per cent of their target.

The civic body aims to vaccinate 16 lakh children, out of which 7.6 lakh are in primary schools. AMC has met 41 per cent of their target overall. As per data obtained by the health department, in Danilimda, there has been only seven per cent coverage. Out of a target of 8,308 children in 17 schools, only 554 have been vaccinated so far.

In Sankalitnagar, only 1,059 children have been vaccinated out of a target of 13,927 spread over 16 schools. To meet the target, the government is trying to rope in community and religious leaders. Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra has written a letter to parents to cooperate and take active participation in the drive.

"This is for the healthy future of the children. This is the first such vaccine drive where parents have shown reluctance. We are meeting community leaders, teachers and parents to convince them. So far, no adverse reaction of the vaccine has been reported in the city. We are keeping a track of any negative impact of the vaccine on kids," said Dr Bhavin Solanki, in-charge, Medical Officer, health department.

POOR SHOW

Danilimda 7%

Sankalitnagar 8%

Raikhad 10%

Behrampura 14%

Gomtipur 15%

Rajpur 15%

Jamalpur 16%