RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: The first day of vaccination drive, which allowed people aged 45 and above to take Covid-19 vaccine shots, reported a low turnout with only 43% of the total targeted beneficiaries turning up at inoculation centres across the state.
According to figures, a total of 21,318 of the targeted 48,700 people took the first dosage on the inaugural day.
Talking to TOI, nodal officer for the vaccination drive in the state Dr Ajit Prasad said, “We are taking the first day’s turnout on a positive note as we didn’t face any glitches at any of our centre. The turnout will improve in the next few days as we will soon introduce awareness programmes.”
On being asked whether the state health department has increased session sites expecting overcrowding, Prasad said, “We have enough session sites with one at each panchayat and if required, we will increase the number.”
On Thursday, Chatra topped the chart with a total of 1,702 out of the 1,900 targeted beneficiaries taking their first jab, followed by East Singhbhum with 69% and state capital Ranchi and Giridih reporting 66% turnout each.
Meanwhile, Lohardaga featured last in the chart with a mere 13% of total beneficiaries taking the vaccine shots. Hazaribag and Dumka recorded 17% and 18% turnout, respectively.
On being contacted, Ranchi civil surgeon Dr V B Prasad said, “We have vaccinated a total of 3,078 beneficiaries of the targeted 4,600 on Thursday. We are putting in our best efforts and the impact will reflect in a couple of days.”
Meanwhile, in Jamshedpur, the CEO and MD of Tata Steel, T V Narendran and his wife Ruchi took their first shots at the Tata Main Hospital (TMH) on Thursday. After the shot, Narendran said, “It is important to observe Covid-19 protocols and hygiene even after taking the vaccine.”
East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts saw moderate footfall at the vaccination centres.
Although the turnout across all the 55 vaccination centres (including 27 empanelled hospitals) in East Singhbhum was encouraging during the morning hours, the number of beneficiaries visiting the session sites dipped significantly as the day progressed.
The district health officials blamed the rising mercury for the development. Dr Sahir Pall, the additional chief medical officer of the district, said they were deliberating whether to begin vaccinations an hour earlier than the scheduled time (9am) owing to the weather conditions.
Pall added, “We are yet to receive the statistics from rural areas, but the figures from the urban circles were encouraging.”
Meanwhile, TMH introduced online slot booking for the beneficiaries. The slot for the vaccination can be booked up to three days in advance through the Co-WIN app, the hospital management said.
In Seraikela-Kharsawan, vaccination commenced at eight community health centres and 22 private hospitals. Dr Jhujhar Manjhi, the district surveillance officer, said the footfall was higher at government facilities.
“The response of beneficiaries at paid vaccination centres is poor. The Brahmananda Narayana Hospital has reported moderate response, while the remaining hospitals have experienced poor response,” Manjhi said.