Turnout in Noida, Ghaziabad still low

NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: As the second phase of the vaccination drive against the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease in Gautam Budh Nagar began Friday, the turnout of beneficiaries, which was expected to improve since the first phase, remained disappointing.

Only 1,007 out of the enlisted 1,850 frontline workers, which is 54%, turned up to take their shots, despite the corrections in the database in an effort to increase participation and awareness campaigns.

The officials of the Ghaziabad health department, meanwhile, said that the vaccination coverage on Friday in their region was 64%.

Gautam Budh Nagar chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Deepak Ohri said that the turnout will increase in the coming sessions.

“Since names of beneficiaries included for the second round have been verified from departments concerned, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and other paramilitary personnel), police personnel and revenue officials of the district, we hope to achieve a much higher percentage in the three sessions left. The target for each of the coming sessions is 5,550 and for them we will have around 50 vaccination booths,” he said.

The chief medical officer further said that health department officials are informing beneficiaries two days ahead of their stipulated date of vaccination.

“We have also informed the departments concerned of the beneficiaries about their presence or absence during the vaccination. We are also trying to find out the reasons behind this low turnout so that we can rectify our shortcomings,” the chief medical officer further said.

The overall turnout for the first phase of inoculation in Gautam Budh Nagar was nearly 57%. “As many as 13,943 health workers took the jabs out of the enlisted 24,453 persons in the first phase,” the chief medical officer said.

The Gautam Budh Nagar district has been ranked 68th out of 75 districts in the state in terms of turnout for the vaccination drive.

In Ghaziabad, meanwhile, the turnout stood at 64% on Friday of which 10% were frontline workers.

“On Friday, we took up vaccination of remaining healthcare workers and also included 10% of frontline workers for the Covid-19 vaccination. Out of the target of 4,909 of both categories, we vaccinated 2,092 healthcare workers and 1,037 frontline workers, with a total of 3,129 and coverage of 64%,” said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer of Ghaziabad district.

He said that by Friday, the district had vaccinated a total of 18,591 persons so far.

“Our total vaccination coverage since the beginning is about 72% out of a target of 25,846 healthcare workers and 10% of frontline workers. Of the 25,846, we have vaccinated overall 18,591 persons so far,” he added.

CMO, Gautam Budh Nagar

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