In the battle against COVID-19, vaccination was a crucial weapon. However, a large percentage of India's population was not fully vaccinated as of March 2022, a year and a half after vaccine availability. One significant hurdle was the fear of vaccination side effects. This fear was compounded by the vast and scattered population, making education and outreach challenging.

Take the story of a 70-year-old daily wage worker from Saliyana village in Uttarakhand. Like many others, he lost his job during the lockdown and relied on government and non-profit aid for essentials. When vaccines became available, he initially hesitated but eventually got his first dose to return to work. However, the side effects hit him hard. Experiencing sudden high fever and weakness, the old man vowed never to take the second dose.

Sewa volunteers played a crucial role in convincing him to complete his vaccination regimen. After multiple phone calls, they visited his home personally. It took half an hour of patient explanation to persuade the old man to get his second dose. Fighting pandemics like COVID-19, it is clear that vaccination efforts must go hand-in-hand with education and outreach. Organizations like Sewa International can make a difference by addressing individual concerns and fears.