As 45+ line up for jabs, centres to work even on holidays in April

As 45+ line up for jabs, centres to work even on holidays in April

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 02.04.2021 

As Covid-19 vaccination opened for all those above 45 years on Thursday, the Centre pressed states to ramp up inoculation in the wake of surge in infection that is posing a threat to gains of the previous downturn in cases and the nascent economic recovery.

Around 22.9 lakh doses were administered through 56,390 vaccination sessions across public and private hospitals on Thursday till about 10.30pm, according to the latest data reviewed by TOI. As per the earlier official statement, released by the health ministry, 17.47 lakh doses were administered till 8pm on Thursday. Of this, 15.28 lakh doses were given to those above 45.

Looking to exponentially expand coverage, the Centre has decided to operationalise both public and private sector Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) on all days of the month in April (from today till April 30), including gazetted holidays. In an effort to reduce vulnerability to the virus and control its spread, the Centre is aiming to administer at least 30 lakh doses daily with focus on achieving maximum coverage in high burden districts, official sources said.

Overall, India has administered 6.75 crore doses till 8pm on Thursday. Of this, around 4 crore doses have been given to those above 45 years of age.

FIRST OFF THE BLOCKS: The vaccine drive for 45+ recipients gets a thumbs up at KC General Hospital in Bengaluru. More than 50,000 persons across Karnataka in the 45-60 age group took Covid vaccine till 7.30pm on Thursday

Experts ask govt to speed up Covid-19 vaccination

States have been directed to optimally utilise all CVCs across public and private sectors to ensure rapid increase in the pace and coverage of vaccination.

Despite the Centre’s repeated advisories and liberalised policies to rope in all private facilities with required amenities in the vaccination drive, the sites organised in the private sector continue to be far less than those in the government hospitals. Of the total 56,390 sessions organised on Thursday, only 6,440 were in the private sector, rest in government hospitals.

Experts say there is an urgent need to quicken vaccination in the wake rising Covid-19 cases across the country. The average daily cases in the last week of March increased to around 56,200 —more than three folds of around 16,740 recorded in the first week of March. On Wednesday, daily cases increased to 72,330.

However, the pace of vaccinations is still moderate in most states with only 91.81 lakh people fully inoculated so far since the launch of the vaccination drive on January 16.