12-hr Covid vaccination drive at select hospitals from March 12

Following directives from the central government to increase Covid-19 vaccination coverage, hospitals in Gurugram will extend their vaccination timings from March 12

Following directives from the central government to increase Covid-19 vaccination coverage, hospitals in Gurugram will extend their vaccination timings from March 12.

An Israeli volunteer receives the second dose of an experimental Israeli-made COVID-19 vaccine at the Sheba Medical Center, the country's largest hospital, in Ramat Gan near the coastal city of Tel Aviv, on January 14, 2021. - The Israeli vaccine is in its experimental stage and available only for volunteers of all ages, said the spokesman of the hospital. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (AFP)

At least 11 private hospitals and two public health facilities will extend their services till 9pm from the existing slot of 9am till 5pm. Among them, Artemis, Fortis, Max and Medanta hospitals, are also likely to have a 24/7 vaccination facility from March 15, according to a senior district health department official.

“We have received the recommendation from the health department on these four hospitals for the round-the-clock vaccination drive. We are reviewing it and will give approval if they meet the criteria,” said Yash Garg, deputy commissioner on Wednesday.

The other private hospitals that will extend their services are Kalyani, Narayana, Park, Paras, Signature, CK Birla and Medeor. The district level task force that met at the mini secretariat on Wednesday extended the services at the two government facilities, Civil Hospital in sector 10 and polyclinic in sector 31, till 9pm too.

“At least 13 vaccination centres will now run for 12 hours to inoculate people above the age of 60 years and those aged 45 to 59 with existing co-morbidities. The decision has been taken in the wake of high turnout of prioritised population group for the jab,” said Dr Virender Yadav, Gurugram chief medical officer.

The district currently has vaccination centres at 45 private hospitals and 22 public health facilities, including urban primary health centres in different localities. Seven additional private hospitals will also be added as vaccination centres by March 13.

Vaccination in private hospitals has been taking place from Monday to Saturday, while in government facilities it is being held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

On Wednesday, at least 3226 people above the age of 60 and 454 between 45 to 59 years took the jab at 45 centres, taking total vaccination count to over 86,360 in the district.

Covid-19 cases rise further

As the district recorded at least 80 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday taking the active case count to 471, the health department told private hospitals to increase testing during the task force meeting.

In a statement issued by the district administration, hospitals have been told to test close contacts of the confirmed positive cases to prevent transmission of infection. “Considering the spike in cases, containment zones in the city will be increased. There will be barricading in containment zone and unnecessary movement will also be prohibited,” said Yadav.

Arpita Mukherjee, vice president, operations, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Gurgram, said, “We are planning to start the 24X7 covid vaccination from Monday (March 15). At present, we have five dedicated stations for vaccination, and we are vaccinating 300- 500 people daily. As we are not expecting huge crowd during the night hours, we will keep two to three stations active for vaccination at night.”

12-hour vaccination drive

Private hospitals

Artemis, Max, Fortis, Medanta, Kalyani, Narayana, Park, Para, Singature, CK Birla and Medeor

Government centres

Civil Hospital at sector 10, polyclinic at sector 31

Note: Timings: 9am to 9pm from March 12