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Bijnor: In order to “speed up" the vaccination drive, UP health department officials in a minority-dominated block of Bijnor have told people that if they do not get their kids vaccinated, they will not get ration under the government scheme.

According to a senior health official, the step was taken to “put pressure” on people opposing the vaccination programme. He also told TOI that the department has successfully conducted this "experiment" -- of stopping food under PDS for those not getting vaccination done -- in another block of the district last year.

On Saturday evening, the Bijnor health department issued a note saying, “Many people are opposing vaccination programme in Kotwali Dehat block, playing with the lives of their kids due to lack of awareness. Now, health department is taking help of district supply office to put pressure on those people who are creating hurdle in the success of the vaccination drive. If anyone opposes the campaign, he will not get ration. He will also not be able to avail benefits of other government schemes.”

When contacted, additional chief medical officer ( ACMO ) and in-charge of Kotwali Dehat block told TOI, “We are running a vaccination programme, Mission Indradhanush, to ensure immunization of all children in the district. But, some parents are opposing this drive. We tried to sensitize them about the importance of the programme, but they did not budge. Over 150 families are opposing vaccination. So, from now on, no person opposing the drive will get the ration there. It is being done to put pressure on them.”

The ACMO added: "We successfully conducted this experiment in Chandak block of Bijnor last year. Initially, only 40% kids were immunized in the block. But, once we stopped the ration, over 80% children got vaccinated."

Villagers on the other hand had their own apprehensions regarding vaccination. One of them, Amir Alam, said, "When we are not ill and our children are healthy, why should we get vaccinated? The children cry and get fever after the vaccination.”

District magistrate (DM) Jagat Raj said he was not aware about the threat to stop food. “I have just instructed the health department to make all people aware about the vaccination programme. No kid should be left,” the DM said.