Brahmavar: DC visits vaccine hesitant family; persuades them to get anti-Covid jab

Kota: Seven members of a family in Kajralli Colony in Saibrakatte in Brahmavara Taluk refused to get vaccinated against Covid allegedly due to mistrust and misinformation. But, the Udupi district Deputy Commissioner Kurma Rao M visited their residence and successfully persuaded them to take the jab on Saturday.

Several factors had led the family to reject the efforts by the administration to convince them to take the vaccine. As is the case with most people hesitant to get vaccines, the family believed that vaccination could kill them. They were also upset at the disdainful attitude of the local villagers and the administration when a member of their family died of Covid during the initial period of the pandemic, sources said.

The Deputy Commissioner who was visiting the Saibrakatte Primary Health Centre learnt about the family who refused to get vaccinated. When he was informed that in spite of the best efforts of the ASHA workers, doctors, and local people’s representatives the family remained adamant, the DC chose to personally visit the residence of the family.

The DC listened patiently to the grievances and problems of the family members and expressed his empathy towards their feelings. He also promised and assured to assist the family to avail the benefits given out by the government. Finally, he requested them to get vaccinated in the meantime.

The DC’s sincere and persuasive assurances successfully changed the hearts and minds of the family and wholeheartedly agreed to get the jab.

The DC also ordered immediate disbursement of food supplies under PDS to the family, when it was revealed that they have not got the rations for the past three months.

Tahsildar Rajashekhara Murthy, Kota revenue inspector Raju, Laxminarayn Bhat, village accountant Sharat Shetty, PHC medical officer Dr. Jayasheel Achar, ASHA workers, and other health workers accompanied the DC during his visit.