Vax drive in UP goes awry: Hesitancy, rumour push villagers into river


Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), May 24 (IANS): Despite a sustained campaign and widespread publicity, vaccine hesitancy continues to prevail in the rural hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh where the pandemic is spreading its tentacles.

In Sisoda village in Barabanki -- where a group of residents jumped into the Saryu river to evade vaccination on Sunday -- the residents remain firm in their decision of not getting the jab.

Shishupal, a local farmer, said, "People have died even after getting vaccinated. I know of those who have had to be hospitalised after the jab. Jab marna hi hai to vaccine kyon?"

Shishupal, who has done matriculation, is convinced that the Covid vaccine is 'harmful' and spreads this 'information' among others.

"I have got this information from several of my friends who work in big cities. I am convinced as the local officials have not answered my queries. My own uncle, who worked in Delhi, died a month after having both vaccine shots. What more proof do I need," he asked.

Mohd Ahsan, another resident, was also unwilling to take the jab.

"Is there a guarantee that we will not get infected after the vaccine? There are many in adjoining village who rushed to take the vaccine and then got infected. Why is the government pushing for vaccination-they should give it to those who want it," he stated.

Besides this, rumours abound in the village that the vaccine causes 'impotence' and this is mainly responsible for driving the men away.

On Sunday evening, a group of people in Sisoda village in Barabanki district had jumped into the Saryu river after seeing a team of health officials.

The health team had gone to the village to give Covid vaccination to the local residents.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Ramnagar tehsil, Rajiv Kumar Shukla, said about 200 people of the village ran away from the village because of the fear of vaccine and reached the Saryu shore. When the health team reached the river, these people jumped into the river.

Shukla said he made the villagers understand the importance and benefits of vaccination, and tried to dispel the myths, following which only 18 people in the village got the jabs.

The villagers said they jumped into the river because some people had told them that this was not a vaccine, but a poisonous injection.

It took a great deal of convincing to get people come out of the river.

Sisoda is a village with a population of 1,500 people located in the Terai, 70 km from the district headquarters of Barabanki.

Nodal Officer Rahul Tripathi said that they were continuing efforts to convince the local people about the benefits of vaccination and also dispel misconceptions.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a reward for Covid-free villages with 'Mera Gaon-Corona Mukt Gaon' campaign.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Pokka Cunnah (Da’Cunjaa), Kodiaal - Goa

    Mon, May 24 2021

    Well, just the other day our very learned MP Mr. Kateel blamed the Congress for vaccine hesitancy... earlier Ms. Sobha Karandjalike blamed a sect of the Christians for not taking the vacs, and at the peak of the 2nd Covid wave many Central BJP leaders were raving and ranting that the Congress (fortunately they didn’t mention Pandit Nehru) was responsible for people not taking the vaccine shots.... now I am confused, UP is ruled by the saffron clad Ajay Bisht, the PM is elected from UP, many central ministers are from UP including the Defence Minister ... wonder who influenced them to run away from the vaccine... must be fraud baba Ramdev who is against allopathy.. but after the IMA objected the Health Minister politely asked Fraud Baba to retract but otherBJP leaders including Pragya Thakur have gone scot free with their stupid theories. I request the Government to please make the vaccine available to those who want them, rest can use Gau Mutraa & dung or take a dip in the Ganga to avoid getting Covid.

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  • arm, Mangalore

    Mon, May 24 2021

    Dawa ke sath Daroo de do sab man jayenge.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Mon, May 24 2021

    Give it to the people who want it. Why force them here people are requesting for vaccines...

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • kujuma, mangaluru

    Mon, May 24 2021

    If people are healthy and staying in villages there is no need for them to get vaccinated. Only those who migrate to cities should take it rather, though it is not proven that it prevents Covid. Many cases of heart attack are due to vaccination I think..Today also we can see that a young teacher of Urwa died..it should be checked whether he had taken vaccination.. No doubt there are great doubts about the vaccine..For the same reason I have not taken..lol

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  • Dev, Mangalore

    Mon, May 24 2021

    I had stated some weeks back illiterate village people are more knowledgeable than city people. Yes and experimental vaccines without long-term study should never be enforced on people which is against "Nuremberg Code ". Now coming to adverse vaccine injuries include blood clots leading to massive heart attacks and strokes in middle aged healthy people. Bill Gates has tested vaccines in Africa on young girls and after 10 years they got married and they never conceived as they had added sterilizing chemicals in them which he had often stated reducing population is one of his agenda through whichever means, which includes creating Bio weapons and later marketing vaccines, He makes money either way.

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  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 24 2021

    Who is responsible for this Stupidity ...

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  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Mon, May 24 2021

    vaccine hesitancy

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  • Rahul, Mangalore

    Mon, May 24 2021

    Ramdev Baba & cow unrine promoter MP from MP. Government punishing people who say truth but awrd the people who talk rubbish against our covid warriors. Health minister himself felicitate them. This irony of our country. Only manh ki baath no interest in hearing intellectuals words. Placed himself near to Almighty. Crook people's are supporting to above acts for the own gains.

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