Jamshedpur: Sanitation staff members likely to get first Covishield dose
JAMSHEDPUR: Sanitation workers are likely to be administered the first dose of Covishield vaccine in Jamshedpur as Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is all set to launch the first phase of nationwide vaccination drive via live video conferencing on Saturday.
“We have been asked by National Health Mission (NHM) state mission director Ravi Shankar Shukla and state immunization officer Dr Ajit Prasad through a video conference last evening to identify sanitation staff members and give the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to them on Saturday. This is to acknowledge and honour their contribution in fighting the pandemic while taking immense risks,” Dr RN Jha, Jamshedpur civil surgeon, said.
Dr Jha, however, said they were searching for a suitable sanitation staff to volunteer for the same and a final decision would be taken after that. The second dose is expected to be given to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) principal Dr PK Barla.
He said the main programme would be held at MGM College with live webcasting of PM’s programme around 9 am where Jamshedpur DC Suraj Kumar, MGMMCH principal Dr PK Barla, ACMO Dr Sahir Pal and others would be present.
“We have received 807 vials or 8,070 doses of Covishield for 8,000 identified health and frontline workers. Ten persons will be randomly selected from those vaccinated on Saturday for interaction with the PM,”
said Dr Jha.
The vaccine vials have been kept in 22 ice-line refrigerators (ILRs) at regional vaccine centre cold chain storage at Sakchibased old civil surgeon office. The temperature at the centre will be monitored round the clock though eight attached monitors linked to the Central Cold Chain Centre at Delhi under Union Ministry of Health. Jusco has sought ₹1.20 lakh for three-phase connection for 24x7 uninterrupted electricity supply to the Centre.
Meanwhile, West Singhbhum civil surgeon Dr Om Prakash Gupta said they received 9,310 doses of Covishield late Wednesday evening and vaccination would be done at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital and Chakradharpur sub-divisional hospital
four days a week.
“We are keeping 10% of these doses out assuming and accounting for likely wastage. Of the remaining 8,380 doses, 4,190 doses will be given to as many health workers in the first phase. Vaccinated persons will have to take the second dose after 28 days,” said Dr Gupta.
Seraikela-Kharsawan RCH officer and Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Jujhar Majhi said they received 6,140 doses of Covishield late Wednesday evening and vaccination would be launched at Seraikela Sadar Hospital and Kuchai CHC from Saturday.
Dr Sangita Kerketta will be in charge at Sadar hospital while Dr Shivcharan Hansda will be in charge at Kuchai CHC from 9 am to 5 pm.