Nagpur: Administering all the Covid-19 vaccines sent to the region, which are enough for 53% of the registered health care workers, is likely to take up to February 12, since the Centre has reportedly continued restriction on increasing number of centres. After a break of two days, vaccination will resume at 56 centres in 11 districts of Vidarbha on Tuesday with a target of covering 5,600 doctors, nurses, technicians, attendants etc working in government-run hospitals.
On the first day, on January 16, 3,881 health care workers could be administered doses on. Total registrations for vaccination number 1,59,427. But the government had supplied 1.88 lakh doses, which included first as well as second dose of each beneficiary.
After deduction of 10% wastage, 1,69,200 doses will remain, enough to vaccinate 84,600 (53%) health care workers. With 3,881 covered on Day-1, another 80,719 can be given the jab.
The government on Monday reportedly cleared vaccination at same number of centres, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday every week. Thus, vaccination of 80,719 health care staff will be completed by February 12 if number of centres is not increased.
As against proposed 60 centres, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will continue vaccination at five centres — Pachpaoli Women’s Hospital, AIIMS, IGGMCH, GMCH and Daga Hospital.
Sources from NMC told TOI, “Government directed that same number of centres will continue till January 30. Pulse polio vaccination is from January 31 to February 5. Existing beneficiaries will also have to be given second dose after completion of 28 days.”
There is no clarity on vaccination of remaining 74,827 registered health care workers, including those working in private hospitals, which will be followed by front-line workers and people above 50 years and those below 50 years with comorbidities.
The Centre had announced even front-line workers will be covered along with health care workers in phase-I.
In some relief, Co-WIN app was reportedly working on Monday and messages were delivered to all health care workers scheduled for vaccination on Tuesday.
Deputy director of health services, Nagpur division, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal told TOI, “Healthcare workers are now excited to get the jab. Many are calling and inquiring when their number will come. Good results of Day-1 sent a positive wave.”
Deputy director of health services, Amravati division, Dr Rajkumar Chavan said, “Co-WIN worked properly on Monday. But random timing of 9am to 5pm was delivered to all. Our staff contacted all and gave slots for 25 each in 2 hours at each centre, that too at the convenience of the beneficiary. Plan is to ensure 100% turnout and no wastage of doses.”
On Day-1, Co-WIN had not worked, and messages were not delivered to selected health care workers. Only NMC sent messages from Co-WIN to beneficiaries before and after vaccination in the region.
Dr Jaiswal and Dr Chavan appealed health care workers to avail the vaccination benefits without missing the dates.
NMC additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi said, “Random timing generated from Co-WIN will be continued in city as health care workers can turn up as per their convenience. To avoid wastage of doses and ensure 100% turnout, we will register 120 in Co-WIN from Wednesday so that at least 100 turn up at each centre.”
Joshi added vaccination will be done six days in a week in city. “Government said four days in a week so immunization of children is not hampered and Sunday will be a rest day. But five centres of the city do not have immunization programmes. It will ensure more coverage of health care workers,” he said.
Asked about vaccination of workers at private hospitals, Joshi said discussions are going on and final decision will be taken on Thursday. “We will chalk out a plan to cover doctors and other staff working in treatment of Covid patients at private hospitals.”
Vaccines along with syringes in sufficient quantity have been supplied to all centres.