LUCKNOW: More than 1.71 lakh health workers were administered Covid-19 vaccine in UP on Saturday, as it improved upon its performance in the previous round, reports Shailvee Sharda.
As per the report updated at 8.30pm, 1,71,198 health workers were inoculated in 2,305 sessions at the vaccination centres across the state, meeting 66.4% of the target of 2,57,781. The vaccination rate was about 64.8% in the last round, when 1,00,676 health workers were vaccinated against a target of 1,55,311.
“So far, no state in the country has vaccinated one lakh persons in a single day,” said a senior officer.
Finish groundwork to vaccinate those in essential services: Yogi
The total number of health workers to get the vaccine against coronavirus in UP crossed 2.71 lakh. However, the state has 9.06 lakh health workers, including 2.34 lakh of private sector, to be inoculated.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told officials to ensure all the health workers are vaccinated by February 5.
“Vaccination will be the final blow to Covid-19 pandemic, but this should not make people complacent. Everyone must continue to follow all preventive norms,” he said and directed his Team 11 to ensure testing and surveillance continue like before.
The chief minister also directed officials to speed up preparations to start vaccination of those in essential services next.
Government spokesperson informed that those vaccinated on Thursday will get the second dose on February 25.
“Both Covaxin and Covishield were used today. Among all districts Balrampur topped with 99.1% vaccination against target, followed by Siddharthnagar (98.3%) and Shravasti
(97.5%), while Sonbhadra
(44.7%), Firozabad (45.3%) and Gorakhpur (45.6%) witnessed lowest rates. Lucknow ranked 70th with 48% turnout,” he said.
Sources said ongoing internal examinations in medical colleges led to poor turnout in Lucknow and Gorakhpur.
“Many students did not turn up fearing mild side effects like fever and lethargy would affect their performance. They will be covered in the next round,” said an officer.
As per state family welfare directorate report, 173 incidents of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) were reported on Saturday.
“Even miniscule side effects are being noted, hence no one needed hospitalisation,” said sources.
“There was enthusiasm for vaccination. Over 66% turnout in UP is remarkable considering the size of population. In fact, it is more than the performance in routine immunisation drives,” they said.
Additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad reiterated that following prevention protocol is a must for everyone, including the vaccinated.