98% of those registered get vaccine
Overwhelming response to the soft launch of phase 3 of Covid vaccination in Noida; full roll-out is likely from March 4
NOIDA: The soft launch of the phase 3 of the Covid-19 vaccination, meant for senior citizens, on Monday saw an overwhelming response in Gautam Budh Nagar with the district recording a turnout of about 98%. The full roll-out of the phase 3 will likely begin March 4.
District vaccination officer Dr Neeraj Tyagi said that on Monday, a soft launch for the third round was held in one private hospital (SJM super specialty hospital in Chhijarsi), and two government hospitals (district hospital in Sector 30 and the Government institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida). As many as 319 out of a total of 325 beneficiaries took their first shot at the three hospitals in the district on Monday.
“While both – SJM Hospital and the district hospital – were sent 100 doses each, GIMS was sent 125 doses. The turnout at SJM hospital was 100% while it was 99% at the district hospital. At GIMS, as many as 120 out of the 125 enlisted senior citizens were inoculated Monday,” he said.
Police personnel who were deployed at the district hospital said they had a tough time lining up the senior citizens and setting up chairs six-feet apart, as per social distancing protocols. “Though it is hard to make senior citizens stick to norms, I am really enjoying my duty,” said Rajesh Kumar, a constable posted there.
Most of the senior citizens did not appear too worried about any possible after-effects of the jab. “The moment I came to know that I am getting the Covishield vaccine, I started feeling more at ease. I’ve taken the jab and I am absolutely fine,” said Sushila Singh, who took the shot along with her husband at SJM Hospital.
Although the soft launch began on a slow note, due to technical issues, the overall coverage accelerated by the end of the day. Officials said the on-spot registration began at 9am, but the dissemination could begin only after two hours, due to a glitch.
“We need to fill all details about allotment before administering the doses. The updated CO-WIN application was new for us, so completing this process took a longer time,” said a health official at GIMS, asking not to be identified.
Meanwhile, the admin has prepared a list of 424,555 beneficiaries, aged 60 years and above, through the electoral roll, for the third phase of the vaccination drive. Besides, people above 45 years of age with co-morbidities will also be covered in the third phase, but they need to self-register on the updated version of the CO-WIN 2.0 portal.
Regarding the CO-WIN 2.0 app, the ministry of health and family welfare on Monday had clarified that, “Registration and booking for appointment for Covid-19 vaccination is to be done through the COWIN portal: http://cowin.gov.in. There is no CO-WIN app for beneficiary registration. The App on Play Store is for administrators only.”
Chief medical officer Dr Deepak Ohri said that as many as 220 vaccination booths in 26 hospitals, including private facilities, have been identified for the third phase. “The full session of vaccination for phase 3 is likely to begin March 4 in the district. We are waiting for detailed guidelines from the state government. To maximise coverage, the health department has prepared a list of beneficiaries for the third phase with the help of the latest electoral roll,” he said.
Ghaziabad achieves 100% target
The Ghaziabad district, on the other hand, achieved 100% of its target during the soft launch of the phase 3 of vaccination on Monday. District health department officials said that over 60% beneficiaries were walk-ins while the rest had registered themselves earlier on the CO-WIN website.
Officials said that of the overall target of 300, 135 were administered their first shot at the Sanjay Nagar Combined District Hospital, while 78 and 87 beneficiaries were vaccinated at the District Women’s Hospital (DWH) and Yashoda Hospital at Kaushambi, respectively.
“Overall, the three hospitals combined vaccinated a total of 300 beneficiaries and nearly 60-62% of these were walk-ins. Some beneficiaries said they were not comfortable using the portal, which is why they simply came by and got themselves registered at the session centre itself,” said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer, Ghaziabad.
He said that all three hospitals had been given a target of 100 beneficiaries each. The DWH and Yashoda hospitals were given doses of Covishield while the Sanjay Nagar District Hospital was given stock of Covaxin, as per government directions, he added.
While Yashoda Hospital offered the vaccine at a payment of ₹250, the two government hospitals provided the jab freeof-cost, as per directions.
“We will have a video-conference with state health officials on Tuesday when further course of action for the category three of vaccination will be decided on a large scale,” Dr Gupta added.
The beneficiaries under category three consist of citizens who are aged or will attain the age of 60 years or more as on January 1, 2022. The other group consists of citizens who are aged or will attain the age of 45 to 59 years as on January 1, 2022 and have any specific co-morbidities.
“I chose to walk-in and took the vaccine. I faced no issues after. During the earlier phases of vaccination held for healthcare workers, I had sent all details but my name did not figure in the list. So I waited and walked-in at Sanjay Nagar Hospital on Monday as a beneficiary under category 3,” said Dr Satya Prakash, a resident of Kavi Nagar, aged 92 years.
He said his wife, aged 90 years, passed away due to Covid-19 on November 25 last year.
“We vaccinated 87 beneficiaries and there was an issue with the self-registration module on the portal when entries were held up for about an hour. Of those who came, about 50 had registered themselves prior to coming. To reduce wastage, we ensured that a vial of vaccine will be opened only when 10 beneficiaries are present at a site. So, we had no wastage of doses Monday,” said a spokesperson from the Yashoda Hospital at Kaushambi.
Dr Sangita Goel, chief medical superintendent of DWH, said all recipients were walkins. “They came and completed the on-spot registration. About 50 beneficiaries at our hospital were senior citizens,” she added.
Dr Sanjay Teotia, chief medical superintendent of Sanjay Nagar hospital said they surpassed the target of 100. “We had an additional stock of vaccines so we vaccinated all those who walked-in instead of asking them to return. The response was encouraging. We used the Covaxin vaccine,” he added.
DR DEEPAK OHRI CMO, GB NAGAR
The full session for ph 3 is likely to begin March 4. We are waiting for norms. The dept has prepared a list of beneficiaries using the electoral roll.