The vaccination centers of urban and rural areas were operated in walk-in mode in the city on Wednesday. The footfall of the beneficiaries is on the rise following the walk-in facility. The major change in vaccination drive has helped the city record its highest vaccinations in a month.
Ramesh Kumar Raghu, who was standing in a queue at Keenan Stadium, said: " It is really a welcome move. It is much easier to get vaccinated through walk-in system. We don't have access to technology. We can't book slots on CoWin. We are glad that we got vaccinated for free at a government centre. Moreover, would have not been able to afford the vaccine at a private centre. We live on a hand to mouth basis."
Senior In-charge Vaccination Cell - cum- SDO Dhalbhum Sandeep Kumar Meena informed that both the doses of Covishield and Covaxin were given at all the vaccine centers. Covaxin was available only for 200 beneficiaries at Keenan Stadium.
In urban areas, only one vaccine center was operated at Keenan Stadium, while 20 vaccine centers were operated in rural areas. Appealing to the people of the district, he said that those who have not got the Covid vaccination so far, they must go to their nearest center and get the vaccination done, there is no compulsion for online slot booking tomorrow, be it rural or urban, all the centers should be operated in walk-in mode.
“The response has been overwhelming. Our teams are working on the ground for the last few days to create awareness about the walk-in system. As a result, we have received an immense response. But we are maintaining social-distancing norms at all points," said an official. A health official informed that the beneficiaries are being vaccinated by ensuring compliance of all safety standards and Covid -19 protocol at the vaccination site. Vaccination of beneficiaries is being done on a first come first serve basis at Walk in Center
The District Administration has also appealed to all the residents of the district that those who have not taken the second dose to take their dose as soon as possible.
By continuously running awareness campaigns through various mediums (social, print and electronic media) by the district administration, people are being made aware about vaccination as well as session sites are being organized for 18+ and 45+ age groups in regular urban areas .