Although healthcare workers and frontline workers were the first groups prioritized when COVID-19 vaccination drive started in January, over seven months later, around one in five healthcare workers and over a quarter of frontline workers still await the second jab, suggest data. Coverage levels vary across states, with Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Delhi reporting the lowest coverage.

Across the country, a little over 1.03 crore healthcare workers have received the first vaccine dose, while less than 84 lakh have been administered the second shot. About 1.83 crore frontline workers have received their first jab, while only 1.32 crore have been administered the second one.

Nearly all states have reported more than 95% coverage for the first vaccine dose in both the groups, except for Delhi, Punjab and Karnataka.

Among the larger states, Haryana, Jharkhand and Kerala have reported the best coverage with complete or near total coverage for the first dose in both the groups and more than 85% coverage for the second dose. However, in Tamil Nadu, only 60% of healthcare workers and 40% of frontline workers have been administered the second dose.

The health secretary of Tamil Nadu, J Radhakrishnan, stated that there was vaccine hesitancy and wastage in the initial four months of the vaccination drive. The allotment declined as a result. While the allotments have increased now, there is backlog to clear.

Himachal Pradesh has been in the news for the highest overall COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the country; however, the state had the least number of frontline workers who received the second dose at a mere 38% of the total 5.8 lakh registered. According to State health authorities, the gap between the coverage of first and second doses was due to the interval between doses being increased. Only 50% of frontline workers in the state of Karnataka and 57% in Delhi have received the second shot.

In certain states, the coverage of even the first dose was very poor among these groups. In Punjab, just 61% of healthcare workers have received their first dose. Officials in the state hold vaccine shortage accountable for the same. They also stated that they don’t have complete data after people in the 18-44 age group, including healthcare workers and frontline workers, started getting vaccination in the private sector. In Delhi, 87% of healthcare workers have received their first dose.

In Karnataka, 85% of healthcare workers have received the first dose. Officials there claim that they have issues with duplicate entries in the Cowin database which has made the total numbers high.

Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat and Assam recorded high coverage of first and second dose among both the groups. Goa also has a good record, with over 90% coverage for second dose in both groups.