Surveys to identify vulnerable sections

GHAZIABAD:: Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar are gearing up for a 10-day special drive, on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government, to find out the susceptible population that is likely to be affected in case of a third Covid-19 wave.

Both districts will focus on unvaccinated people in the 45+, people having Covid symptoms, those suffering from tuberculosis, and children left out of the routine immunisation.

Officials said teams will conduct door-to-door survey from September 7 to September 16. The drive is to ensure maximum protection to the vulnerable people in case resources are diverted if a third wave is to strike.

“The government has directed to prepare a list of the beneficiaries under the five categories and a report will be submitted once the survey is complete. We will form teams for rural and urban areas for the purpose.,” said Dr Bhavtosh Shankhdhar, chief medical officer of Ghaziabad. “The idea is to ensure that all beneficiaries get proper and prior healthcare in case resources get diverted during a third wave of Covid-19.”

“During the drive, we will try to find out children who have been left out of the routine immunization. Some children may have been left out as they may migrated to the district with their families. These children will also be covered,” said Dr GP Mathuria, nodal officer for vaccination.

In Gautam Budh Nagar, the targeted population in the 45+ age group for Covid vaccination is about 356,345 beneficiaries, while the district has completed administering first doses to 434,840 beneficiaries till August 31. The coverage is about 122.03%. “The first dose coverage is more than the target population as people from outside GB Nagar also get inoculated here. During the 10-day drive, we will try to find out the beneficiaries in this age group who have still not taken the vaccine. For this, a meeting with district officials is scheduled and a strategy will be formed,” said Dr Neeraj Tyagi, district immunisation officer.