MUMBAI: The response for the vaccination drive among frontline staff at railway hospitals and clinics here has not been encouraging, as only 23% of enrolled personnel opted for it on Central Railway and 40% on Western Railway.
On WR, 2,397 personnel were registered but only 949 took the vaccine. On CR, only 583 of 2,560 registered on the COVAX app opted.
A Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh leader said most staff in the health department of railways weree themselves wary of taking the vaccine due to fear of an adverse impact. “The administration should take steps to increase the drive so that other frontline staff like ticket-checkers, motormen and guards too opt for it confidently,” he said.
A CR official said, “Staff only go for vaccination if the they receive a message on their mobile on time and location. Since most have not got messages, the numbers appear to be low.”
However, a union leader said, “Government has now allowed walk-ins for those who registered and want to take the vaccine. They need not wait for the message.”