Jamshedpur, May 21: Health department has said that 2,71,562 people have been vaccinated in their first dose and 62,581 people have got the second dose in the district.
However, vaccination drives for the 18-44 years age group ongoing in the East Singhbhum district are likely to hit a setback as stock of Covishield vaccine has exhausted.
The vaccination drive for the 45 years and above will continue as the stock of both Covishield and Covaxin vaccines is adequate for this age group.
It may be noted that there are seven vaccine centers across the East Singhbhum district — six at steel city and one at Baharagora block of the district, where on an average 5,200 beneficiaries are getting vaccinated every day.
A senior official confirmed about the shortfall of Covishield vaccines for the 18-44 years age-group. “At present few vaccines are left over for the 18-44 years age group. We are trying to procure 5,000 vials so as to tide over the crisis. If the consignment of vaccines does not reach today, then we have to suspend the vaccination drive for the above-mentioned group for two days, ” said the official.
He, however, claimed that the system of vaccination has been put in place and the drive is being carried out without any chaos.
An official of the health department said that as per Government’s guidelines those aged between 18 and above can register. “As per the guidelines received, they can choose either a government facility or a private hospital. While the vaccination will be for free of cost at government facilities,” he said.
To ensure Covid protocol, police personnel have been deployed in each centre. Arrangements have been made for facilitating vaccination for 100 people at each centre. The State government earlier announced that the government hospitals will carry out the vaccination drive at no cost.
The Union Health Ministry has announced the nationwide vaccination program to all citizens above 18 years of age.