Local authorities are groping in dark as to modalities of COVID-19 vaccination programme even as the D-day for administration of dosages for 18-44 age group draws near. From May 1 citizens above 18 years would be eligible for availing the injection and keeping COVID-19 infection at bay. Though Central Government has announced the date for starting the mass vaccination, on ground officials are still trying to formulate effective strategy. At present, persons in 45 years age group are eligible for vaccination and for this nearly 100 plus centres are opened by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in various parts of the city.

 

Now, as per primary plan, to streamline vaccination for all eligible persons and avoid any disruption for senior citizens and ongoing schedule, it is planned to set up 2 centres per ward. Barring this minor arrangement, NMC is awaiting further direction from State authorities before chalking out the vaccination programme, said Dr Narendra Bahirwar, In-charge, COVID-19 Vaccination, NMC. Dr Bahirwar also said, two strategies are being discussed among the health machinery before finalising the universal procedure for entire State.

 

Among them one possibility being discussed is to go for alternate day vaccination to avoid crowding given the large number of beneficiaries now eligible for the vaccination. This, Dr Bahirwar said, is being thought of so that current programme of giving jabs to senior citizens, health care workers, front line workers and 45+ category citizens runs smoothly. Another reason for Plan A as mention above is also a fact that youth tends to be impatient and are always in a hurry and to avoid this it would be better to segregate the age groups. The second plan is to fix separate time slots as per the age group, again the idea is to avoid mix up and confusion at the vaccination centres.

 

The segregation within a single day would ensure that health workers on ground can know who is getting the first shot and the person due for second dosage. Asked specifically Dr Bahirwar could not provide estimation of NMC as to number of dosages that would be required for 18 years & plus category, saying he does not have population data of age wise break up. With just a day to go for opening of vaccination programme from May 1, NMC officials it seems are still grappling with various permutation and combinations. Moreover, the pre-registration mandated by Government has further compounded the problem among the 18+ age group as the CoWin App though allows registration, while choosing the schedule one draws blank. As per the norm, no walk in person would get the jabs, the pre-registration is not helping out either.

 

While the registration went off smoothly and the ID to was generated, the fixing of day and time slot is still to take off. So this means the promised rollout from May 1 for 18+ category citizens is unlikely to take off. Citizens who were eagerly waiting for start of vaccination drive for below 45 years category are left high and dry owing to glitched in CoWin platform. First apart form not providing schedule for booking appointments as there is mention that only 45-year and above persons are currently eligible for vaccination. Some other citizens said even after registrating all data and figuring in 18-years plus category they were getting message that only 45 years and above are currently eligible. Already the vaccination programme of 45 years and above citizens is facing repeated disruption due to non availability of jabs as NMC is running low as the two companies, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute itself are unable to meet the requirements.