SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 23: In order to cover 100% population by December, the Dhanbad district administration has started a night vaccination drive. District nodal officer for vaccination, Dr Vikash Rana, said that during the first night, 20 people were administered with the first dose of vaccination at Sadar hospital on Monday.
Since long queues of people appear at all designated vaccination centres across the district, the Dhanbad administration has started two night vaccination sites at Sadar hospital and IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM) shopping complex from Monday night for the facility of office going persons.
However, Sadar hospital and IIT ISM Shopping Complex are still the regular vaccination sites during the day.
Vaccination is administered from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Official sources said that due to lack of manpower, night vaccination could not be started at IIT ISM shopping Complex at first night. However, it will start this evening.
“Of course due to this night vaccination service I will be able to get it now. Otherwise, due to the lack of time in day and long queue of people at almost every site, it was impossible for me to get it,” said Dilip Mandal, a bank staff.
While reviewing the vaccination status of the district at the meeting of ‘Task Force’, the deputy commissioner directed the concerned officials of the health department to ensure 100% coverage of people by December.
“If needed, increase the numbers of vaccination sites and take help of people’s local representatives to encourage the residents to get vaccinated for safety from Covid infection”, said deputy commissioner (DC) Sandip Singh.
The DC has also directed to focus on the vaccination of commercial vehicle drivers especially auto, taxi and bus drivers. Over 18000 auto runs in the district.
“Though on the first night, only 20 people arrived for vaccination but we hope that the numbers will soon increase. The sites will also be increased to cater the requirement,” said the district nodal officer, Dr. Vikash Rana.