Delhi vaccine drive: Those under 50 with comorbidities to soar numbers

Anonna Dutt and Sweta Goswami

NEW DELHI: The number of eligible people for the Covid-19 vaccine in the third category comprising those above 50 years and those with comorbidities in Delhi is set to be more than the 4.2 million initially estimated by the city administration last month, senior government officials said on Wednesday.

This will push the number of people to be vaccinated in the first phase beyond the 5.1 million announced by CM Arvind Kejriwal in December.

While the numbers of healthcare workers (300,000) and front line workers (600,000) remain roughly the same, a major spike in the number of beneficiaries is going to be seen in the “under 50 with comorbidities” category as the initial estimate of 4.2 million covers only those above 50 years of age, a senior health official said.

Government data accessed by HT showed that the 4.2 million beneficiaries in the third category appear to be only those above the age of 50 years as per the electoral rolls. The age of the beneficiary as on January 1 will be considered for vaccination.

Senior officials in the state chief electoral officer’s office said the Delhi government estimate of 4.2 million is “nearly correct”.“as per the electoral roll published on January 6, 2020, Delhi had nearly 4 million people who are 50 and above. The electoral roll published on January 18, 2019, had over 3.6 million such voters. From 2019-2020 we had seen an increase of 8.6% in the 50 and above segment of voters. Till November 16, 2020, we added 151,723 new voters to Delhi’s electoral rolls taking the total voters in Delhi up to at least 14,843,859,” said an electoral officer requesting anonymity.

“As per the electoral roll published on January 6, 2020, Delhi had nearly 4 million people who are 50 and above. It’s been a year since then, so the number of such voters should be nearly 4.2 million as on date,” an electoral officer said, on condition of anonymity. The details of those below the age of 50 having comorbidities is still being collected at the district level, a senior revenue official said.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said the numbers announced by Kejriwal last month across the three categories for the first phase of vaccination were broad estimates which are likely to change as the registration process intensifies.

“The combined number of people who will get the Covid-19 vaccine shot in the first phase is fixed at around 5.1 million. However, the numbers within the categories of health care and front line workers are likely to decrease as their eligibility is being verified during the registration process. So, the vaccine shots slotted for other categories will also be given to the third category of 50+ people and those with comorbidities. Nevertheless, there is no need to panic and get stuck on specific numbers. Our vaccination programme will be an inclusive one and every one will get a shot sooner or later,” said Jain.

On Tuesday, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul, during a press briefing, said that the central government will soon release the inclusion criteria for states to identify those with comorbidities and prepare the priority list as per the severity of the comorbid conditions.

Senior officials in at least six of the 11 districts in Delhi said that a database of those below the age of 50 with comorbidities was not yet available with them.

“Each district has readied the list of those above 50 years of age from the electoral rolls. The districts have also gone a step further and segregated those who are 60 or more years. However, there is only a rudimentary database available as of now on the people below the age of 50 with comorbidities,” said a DM on condition of anonymity.

An SDM of South district who did not wish to be named said, “We have some data from the multiple surveys conducted during the last seven months...we are told the Centre will issue some guidelines on how to identify and prioritise those below 50 with comorbidities.”