Despite sub-50% turnout, Karnataka leads in vaccination coverage

Bengaluru: Karnataka achieved a coverage of 47% on the fourth day of the Covid-19 vaccination drive with 15,223 beneficiaries inoculated as against the day’s target of 32,205 healthcare workers.

Despite less than half of the target beneficiaries turning up for the vaccination programme, Karnataka tops the list of states to cumulatively administer vaccines since January 16. The state has so far vaccinated 80,686 beneficiaries, followed by Andhra Pradesh that has inoculated 58,495 people, according to the Centre.

Several private medical institutions too have geared up for the vaccination programme in their premises.


“At Aster CMI Bengaluru, we were able to vaccinate about half of the targeted 500 healthcare workers. The only glitch in the entire process was that several registered beneficiaries did not receive the SMS on the designated time slot. We are hoping that the anomaly will be resolved, and the number would increase,” said Dr Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster India.

A spokesperson from Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Girinagar, said the health workers participated with enthusiasm and they could vaccinate over half of the 180 staff.

State reports 645 new covid cases

Karnataka’s Covid tally touched 933,077 on Tuesday, with 645 new cases, said a government bulletin. The state recorded six deaths due to the infection, taking the fatality count to 12,181. Also, 807 persons were discharged, reducing the active cases to 7,865. Bengaluru city reported 357 new cases and four deaths.