Day 2 sees 200% jump in vaccination turn-out

RANCHI: Jharkhand on Tuesday reported a rise of over 200% in the number of people availing their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine as compared to the first day of the second phase of the mass vaccination drive, according to the state health department’s bulletin.

The second phase covers citizens aged 60 years and above, and those aged 45 years and above with comorbidities. It was launched nationwide on March 1.

As many as 1,140 eligible beneficiaries took the jab on Monday, while 3,498 people were administered the vaccine on Tuesday.

Of those vaccinated on Tuesday, 3,238 were senior citizens and 260 were in the age group of 45 to 59 years having comorbid conditions.

Out of the 24 districts in the state, Ranchi recorded the maximum turnout with a total of 712

beneficiaries from both the groups. Bokaro stood second with 414 such people.

In Ranchi, besides three government hospitals including Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Sadar Hospital and Doranda community health centre, the district administration also set up two special vaccination centres at Jharkhand high court’s guest house and civil services club.

Five high court judges and several senior advocates took their first dose on Tuesday. Justice KP Deo, who contracted the

contagion last year, took the jab along with his wife. Besides, Justice HC Mishra, Justice Ananda Sen, Justice Rajesh Kumar and Justice AK Dwivedi were also inoculated.

In Jamshedpur, former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das took his first shot. “The indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine is fully safe. After the shot, I feel no discomfort. I am fit and fine,” he said. while appealing people to come forward and avail the vaccine to protect themselves and others from the disease.