Crowds and chaos mark first day of Covid vaccination for 18-44 age group in NCR

NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: The first day of vaccination of those between 18-44 years saw chaos, with most centres seeing large crowds, flouting of all Covid protocols and unpreparedness on the part of the administration.
Both Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar had assigned 16 centres for the drive. However, the crowds in most places were unmanageable for the health department, which had to call in police.
Unlike the previous phases, spot registration is not allowed for this age bracket. But hundreds turned up at the centres, expecting walk-ins. Adding to the chaos was the lack of barricades and markers for people to follow social distancing norms.
In Gautam Budh Nagar, reports of chaos started surfacing from the District Hospital in Sector 30 from 9.30am. Soon after the gates were opened, many descended inside the main hall. At other government centres in Noida and Greater Noida, the situation was no different. Kasna, Dadri, Hoshiyarpur, Barola, GIMS, Jewar, Bhangel and Bisrakh, were some other places where a large number of people were seen waiting.
In Ghaziabad, crowds had gathered at many centres, including District Combined Hospital (DCH) and District Women Hospital (DWH) since morning. Many did not have prior registration and many others reached the centre before their allotted time slot, creating confusion. Officials said there were many people who had booked the time slot of 11 am but had arrived as early as 9am.
At DWH, many were asked to go back, despite having registration. Later, the staff collected Aadhaar cards of people and asked them to wait. As people were not called according to the time slots, many had to wait for three-four hours to get the jabs. In Shastri Nagar, the crows was unmanageable and security personnel and health workers had a tough time pacifying people.
At DCH, a major vaccination centre in the urban area where 413 people were vaccinated, including 219 in the 18-44 years category on Monday, the queue had stretched to the main gate from the vaccination centre.
At the end of the day, against a target of 3,100, Ghaziabad was able to inoculate 2,338 people, registering a coverage of about 75.5%. Along with this, 1,179 people above 45 years and 909 above 60 years were inoculated at 23 centres. In Gautam Budh Nagar, the target was 2,800 and 2,603 people were vaccinated.
Health department officials in G B Nagar said people who were not given slots were the ones who were turned away. “Many are vying to get vaccine without an appointment. Such people will be turned away,” said chief medical officer of the district, Deepak Kumar Ohri. DCH chief medical superintendent Sanjay Teotia said the management has decided to put up barricades from Tuesday and mark circles on the floor.