State will hold an extensive Panchayat-level Covid-19 vaccination campaign from Jharkhand’s Foundation Day on November 15 to the second anniversary of the ruling government on December 29, officials from the health department said on Tuesday.
During this period, the State plans to set up special vaccination camps at each of the over 4,000 gram panchayats, officials said. A marathon meeting was held on Tuesday to plan the course of action for the special vaccination drive in the state, an official who attended the meeting said, adding that the state will use its 60 mobile vaccination vans during this period to reach far-flung villages and hold door-to-door vaccination drives for eligible beneficiaries who were yet to get inoculated.
The State is set to launch Apke Adhikari, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwaar campaign on November 16. Through this campaign, aimed at bridging the gap between public and the Government, officials will also spread awareness about Covid-19 vaccination and hold immunisation camps.
“Health department has also advised the district authorities to link the mobile vaccination vans with the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’, a door-to-door vaccination initiative of the Centre, in a bid to boost the vaccination drive,” said State Epidemiologist Dr Praveen Karn.
Vaccination drive will be intensified across the state to achieve the target of administering at least one dose of vaccine to over 90 per cent of beneficiaries and ensuring that second dose beneficiaries do not miss their jab, added Karn.
Jharkhand has set a target of administering at least 3 lakh vaccine jabs daily, but the state has not been able to achieve this target yet. As per data compiled by the National Health Mission (NHM), over 1.52 crore Jharkhand residents have received at least one dose of vaccine against Covid-19, while close to 60 lakh of them have also received the second jab. There are over 2.41 crore vaccine beneficiaries in the state, and 63 per cent of them have received at least one dose of vaccine, as per government records.
On November 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual meeting with officials of at least eight Jharkhand districts that have shown a sluggish vaccination rate. During the meeting, Modi suggested Jharkhand to plan a roadmap for vaccinating forest dwellers and residents of far-flung villages.
On road to the second anniversary of the government, the Ranchi district administration will also hold health camps in rural areas wherein free check ups for tuberculosis, malaria, blood sugar, blood pressure etc. would be provided. If needed, consultation with doctors will also be arranged.