AHMEDABAD: On Friday, the top health department officials took stock of the vaccines that the department received from Pune three days ago. The availability on the web platform was checked against the required shots for Saturday’s vaccination.
“It’s going to be a big-ticket event with CM Vijay Rupani and deputy CM Nitin Patel to remain present at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, whereas all 161 sites will have MPs, MLAs or other social or political leaders present,” said a state health department official. “The vaccination will start after a speech by PM Narendra Modi.”
Friday however marked frantic course correction for the CoWIN application. Sources close to development said that the web and mobile-based platform for vaccination drive was not functioning properly. The senior officials however remained tight-lipped. “As all participants are healthcare workers associated with the process for long, it won’t matter much. We can do it manually if technology doesn’t work,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.
Dr J P Modi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, said that he will be among the recipients of the vaccine on Saturday. “We as frontline Covid workers value the vaccine as a first step towards return of normalcy,” he said.
“We have got four medical officers, five heads of departments and 15-odd doctors among the first recipients of the vaccine,” said Dr Pradeep Patel, RMO of GMERS Sola Hospital.