Weekly women’s special drive to bridge vax gap

On efforts to bridge the widening gender disparity in the vaccination drive. A new study says that long-term effects of Covid-19 are greater in women than in men

Concerned about the gender disparity in vaccination data, BMC plans to dedicate one day a week just for vaccinations of women. BMC says around 43 per cent of the total vaccinated population is women. Doctors say women avoid vaccines because of various reasons. While pregnant women fear it will affect their unborn child, and others wonder if it will mess with the menstrual cycle, daily wage workers say they can't afford to miss a day's work and home chores due to the resulting fever. Sunday mid-day also reported on the gender gap in vaccinations, Mind the Gap, on September 5.

Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner said, "We have noticed that fewer women are getting vaccinated. We have directed our ward officers to decide on a day in their respective wards when only women can come for vaccination." He said that they have observed that women usually prefer to go to vaccination camps near their house or to a place where the process is more streamlined and where they do not have to wait. "Our aim is to vaccinate 100 per cent of the population with the first dose and at least 50 per cent of the population with the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by November-end or December," said Kakani.

A woman is vaccinated at a camp held by Raymond industries at a Municipal School in Worli Sea face on Wednesday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

As per the CoWIN portal, until September 8, Mumbai has administered approximately 1.06 crore doses (both first and second included), of which 60.54 lakh doses were administered to men, and 45.67 lakh to women. BMC also plans to have information, education and communication campaigns for pregnant women to encourage them to take the vaccination. As per the September 7 BMC vaccination data, 1,026 pregnant women have taken dose one and 156 have taken both the doses.

Also Read: 'Over 14 lakh people get vaccine doses in Maharashtra, highest in single day'

Doctors busy busting myths

Gynaecologists say there are many factors why women have been hesitant about vaccination. While pregnant women are skeptical of the effect the vaccine will have on their unborn child, many who are planning to have babies, or getting married, are also avoiding it due to reports from abroad that vaccines affect the menstrual cycle. Gynaecologists have been busy fielding questions and busting the myths around the Covid-19 vaccine.

"We do advise women coming to us to take the vaccine. In case they are planning to have a baby, we advise them to take the Covid-19 vaccine before, and if they have already conceived, then they are advised to take it after the first trimester. Advising them is our duty. Later it is their decision whether to take the vaccine," said Dr Ashwini Bhalerao Gandhi, gynaecologist, PD Hinduja Hospital.