SWAT: Despite alarming situation of Covid-19 in Swat, the people of the district are hesitant to get vaccinated against the virus.

According to the office of district health officer, at least 298 people have died of Covid-19 in Swat so far. However, local sources claim that more than 1,000 people have died of the pandemic in the district.

After the decision of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to vaccinate people against Covid-19, the vaccine is available in Swat. However, people are still reluctant to get vaccinated due to misconceptions.

Of more than 2.3 million residents of the district, only about 40,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus. Although some people are active to register themselves and their relatives for vaccination, still there are many locals, who are unwilling to take the jab.

The reasons for this hesitancy vary from person to person. Some are hesitant to get a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine owing to the rumours they have heard about it.

A bigger portion of the local community believes that the pandemic itself is a conspiracy of anti-Muslims lobby, so they are reluctant to take the vaccine sent by foreign countries.

“The Covid-19 is not a naturally surfaced disease but a conspiracy to shift the paradigm of the world and the vaccination is one part of the conspiracy,” said Akbar Ali, a resident of Kabal tehsil.

It is astonishing to notice that some educated people are also reluctant to get vaccinated as they are confused about its side effects. They fear that they will be infected by Covid-19 after vaccination.

“The vaccine is new and we do not know about its side effects. So I definitely will not take the vaccine,” said 52-year-old Shafeeq Ali, a resident of Khwazakhela.

Some of the local senior citizens are illiterate and believe that the virus will affect them.

Bakht Ranra, a 70-year-old resident of Khwazakhela, said that her life was in God’s hands her death’s time was fixed, therefore, she did not need any vaccine to save herself from the illness and death.

However, the people, who are in favour of vaccination, are concerned about others. They consider the hesitancy against the vaccine a serious problem and want it to be addressed urgently.

“Vaccination is safe. I have motivated about 100 people to get vaccinated and they did it. All of them are happy and healthy,” said Imtiaz Khan, a civil society member in Mingora. The civil society members also urged the relevant authorities to take necessary action to tackle the issue.

Dr Liaqat Ali, the EPI district spokesperson, said that 1,500 to 2,000 people got vaccinated daily. More than 42,000 people have been vaccinated so far.

“We have received 73,648 doses of the vaccine and still have 31,000 doses in stock. So far no case of negative reaction has surfaced in Swat,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2021