65% Indians know someone who couldn’t get Covid vaccine dose in last 30 days, survey finds

The LocalCircles survey says the findings are 'quite concerning' given that experts have predicted that the third wave of Covid is likely to hit India between August-September.

A girl receives a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Motilal Nehru Medical College, in UP's Prayagraj on 21 June | Representational image | ANI

New Delhi: Sixty-five per cent of Indians know someone in their social network who could not get a Covid shot when they went for vaccination in the last 30 days, a new survey report by LocalCircles said.

To the question if anyone in their social network — extended family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc. — faced a scenario in the last 30 days where vaccines at the centre were out of stock, 20 per cent said it happened with “4 or more individuals” in their social network,” 26 per cent said it “happened with 2-3 individuals” in their social network, while 19 per cent said it “happened with 1 individual”.

Only 21 per cent said it “did not happen with anyone”, while 14 per cent “couldn’t say”.

The survey received 8,931 responses from people in 278 districts of India. Sixty-six per cent of the participants were men while 34 per cent were women. 42 per cent of respondents were from tier 1 districts, 31 per cent from tier 2, and 27 per cent were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

Findings ‘quite concerning’

The survey says the findings are “quite concerning” given that experts have predicted that the third wave of Covid-19 is likely to hit India between August-September.

“The need of the hour is for the Centre to increase vaccine availability immediately but also for states and districts to have a logistics plan such that excess availability and shortages are effectively balanced so fulfilment rate goes up”, the survey noted.

A similar survey by LocalCircles in May had found that 70 per cent of Indians know people in their social network who could not find a vaccine dose when they went for vaccination.

In the last two weeks, several states, including West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have raised an alert over vaccine shortages. However, the Centre is confident that with all the orders placed, the availability of vaccines will only increase in the coming months.

As of 14 July, according to government data, more than 39.59 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs and more than 1.51 crore vaccine doses are still available with them, including private hospitals.