BMC begins vaccinating senior citizens

Bhubaneswar: 2/3/21; Senior citizens and people above 45 years of age with comorbidities of the Capital City heaved a sigh of relief in hope as the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun the second phase of vaccination drive meant for these people from today at twelve centers across the city.

As many as 785 people, including 749 senior citizens and 36 comorbid people were administered their first vaccine shots marking the end of a long, arduous wait for people with frail immunity who face the highest risk for catching the coronavirus. Vaccination starts at 10 AM and continued till 5 PM.

Today, vaccination drive was carried out at 12 centers such as Capital Hospital, Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) at Pokhariput, Ghatikia, Saheed Nagar, IRC Village, Unit  – IX, Urban Community Health Centre at Unit-IV, Patia, Dumduma, BMC Hospital, Police Hospital, AIIMS and 10 private hospitals in the city.

Vaccine was provided free of cost to these beneficiaries at government hospitals and Rs 250 was charged at private medicals in the city after registration of their names on CoWIN app. The Civic Body has deployed a four-member team which comprises two trained health workers at each center to ensure the vaccination process smooth and hassle-free.

Rabindra Nath Padhee (74), a retired banker who took the vaccine shot along with wife today, heaved a sigh of relief, saying there should not be any hesitation in taking the COVID-19 vaccine. “We were eagerly waiting to take the vaccine as Indian vaccine is the best in the world. It is extremely important to take the vaccine against Covid-19 and so we became more confident from now onwards,” said Padhee, with a smile.

People from diverse backgrounds came to take vaccine today. Smt. Minati Mahapatra, a housewife  who took the vaccine shot at Saheed Nagar UPHC expressed happiness. “ I feel proud and good about the whole exercise,” said Mahapatra.

Senior citizens walked in for vaccination by producing documents like Aadhaar card, photo identity card, NFSA card or driving licence etc. People with comorbidities produced a health certificate duly signed by a registered medical practitioner.

Zonal Deputy Commissioners (ZDCs) were supervising the necessary arrangements and looking overall management of the vaccine centers at their respective zones in the city.