Ghaziabad takes step to increase second dose vaccination coverage

According to Co-Win, the district till Thursday had administered over 1.7 million doses of which only 19% (or 342,575) were second doses. The health department’s data till August 15 showed that nearly 26% of those in the 45+ age group population (estimated at 878,250) in Ghaziabad got their second dose, while this was 43% of the population in the 18-45 age group (1.8 million).

In order to increase the coverage of fully vaccinated individuals, the Ghaziabad health department has allowed all adults requiring their second dose of vaccine against Covid-19 to walk-in and get their shot in addition to online slot booking facility available on Co-Win. This will be in addition to the Uttar Pradesh government’s order last week to reserve Saturdays, called “second dose day”, for only second dose beneficiaries.

On the first day “second dose day” on August 14, Ghaziabad could administer only 7,534 doses. (Bloomberg)

According to Co-Win, the district till Thursday had administered over 1.7 million doses of which only 19% (or 342,575) were second doses. The health department’s data till August 15 showed that nearly 26% of those in the 45+ age group population (estimated at 878,250) in Ghaziabad got their second dose, while this was 43% of the population in the 18-45 age group (1.8 million).

“We have allowed walk-in facility, in addition to the online booking facility, for second dose beneficiaries with a preference for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women and pregnant women.The walk-in facility was already available to those of 45 years,” said Dr Neeraj Agarwal, additional CMO and nodal officer for Covid vaccination.

The district is already making calls from the Integrated Covid Command and Control Centre (ICCCC) and the chief medical officer’s (CMO) office to beneficiaries whose second dose is due.

“People often forget the due date for their second dose, and many also wonder whether they have to register again. So, we have a dedicated team at our office that calls 1,000 people every day to inform them,” Dr Agarwal added.

The state of UP has so far administered 62 million doses, which includes 9.7 million second doses- a coverage of about 15.61%.

On the first day “second dose day” on August 14, Ghaziabad could administer only 7,534 doses. Officials attributed the low figure to low supply of vaccine. The same day, Uttar Pradesh had administered 338,801 doses, which included 243,320 second doses.

“Getting a second dose is must and beneficiaries must get the second dose in order to get maximum protection against the Covid. There should be more awareness campaigns and special drives should also be conducted to increase second dose coverage. But for this, vaccine availability should also be ensured,” said Dr VB Jindal, former president of Indian Medical Association (Ghaziabad chapter).