PATNA: The third phase of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination for the 45+ age group saw an enthusiastic response in the state. Altogether 79,454 people in the 45-59 category, including health minister Mangal
Pandey, took their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while a total of 2,10,915 doses were administered across all categories on Thursday.
The
vaccinations were done at nearly 2,200 session sites. To further facilitate the drive, keeping in mind the vast group of beneficiaries, the
state health department will increase the number of
session sites to 5,000. Now everyone above 45 years of age, even without any
comorbidity, can take the vaccine.
After taking the shot at IGIMS, Pandey urged
others to come forward and get themselves vaccinated. “I request everyone who falls under the 45+ category to come to the session sites and take the vaccine. There is no need to be frightened, as crores of people in the country and nearly 29 lakh people in Bihar have taken the shot,” Pandey said. He was accompanied by his wife Urmila for the vaccination.
Pandey said though the cases have increased in Bihar in the past few days, the situation was under control compared to other states where over 1,000 new cases are getting registered in a day. He further said the department was adhering to the SOP of the test, track and treat, but cautioned people to follow all safety protocols, including mask, maintaining social distance, washing hands and avoiding unnecessary travel.
Health department special secretary
Manoj Kumar said they got a good response on the first day of the third phase of the vaccination. “We did not get any complaint from any session site today. People did not have to wait much,” said Manoj, adding that since the comorbidity rider has been dropped, people need not show only an identity card, which could establish their age as well as their identity.
He further said the number of session sites is being slowly increased and on Thursday nearly 300 additional session sites were added and the final target is to set up 5,000 session sites in the state.
Data shared by the state health department stated that 2,01,631 lakh beneficiaries got their first dose of vaccine. This includes 1,15,289 lakh, senior citizens. Another 9,284 beneficiaries got their second dose. So far, over 30 lakh doses of vaccines have been administered in Bihar, including both the first and the second dose