Nagpur: The extension given by the central and state governments for first dose of Covid-19 vaccine of healthcare workers (HCWs) helped 2,455 doctors, nurses and other staff working in government and private hospitals take the jab on Monday in Vidarbha. With rise in positive cases in the region, number of HCWs and frontline workers (FLWs) taking vaccine increased to a new high of 12,827 on Monday.
The government had on February 18 announced first dose of HCWs will stop from February 20. On that day, 3,358 HCWs had turned up for inoculation, though numbers were very less in previous days. Highest turnout was witnessed in Nagpur district with 1,696 HCWs taking the first dose in city and 368 in rural.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) medical officer Dr Sanjay Chilkar told TOI, “Earlier, scheduling of HCWs for first dose was done on daily basis, with messages going out, followed by calls from control room and vaccination centres. This was stopped since Monday, with HCWs visiting vaccination centres as per convenience and taking the jab,” he said.
On Monday, 1,057 HCW took the first dose in city and 361 in rural for a total of 1,418 in the district. Thus, achievement of first dose of HCWs increased to 62.25% (29,366 out of total registered 47,175) in the district. Good turnout by HCWs for first dose was also seen in Gondia, Amravati, Buldhana and Yavatmal.
As of now, the government has extended first dose for HCWs till February 25. Number of HCWs who have taken first dose increased to 1,19,687 in Vidarbha, which is 66.5% of total registered HCWs.
On Monday, 12,827 HCWs and frontline workers (FLWs) took the jab in 11 districts of the region. The number was highest in a single day in the region since roll out of the vaccine on January 16.
Sources said 2,455 HCWs took first dose, 5,113 HCWs took second dose and 5,259 FLWs availed the benefit of vaccination programme.
The number of vaccinated persons went over 10,000 in a single day for the third time in region on Monday. Earlier, 10,436 turned up for inoculation on February 18, and 10,688 on February 20.
On Monday, 16,143 HCWs took second dose in 11 districts of the region.
The number of FLWs who took first dose increased to 60,245 in the region on Monday. The government had reportedly set deadline of February 27 for completion of first dose of FLWs. The government had also stopped registration of FLWs excluding CRPF personnel. The government is likely to give extension as was done in the case of HCWs.