Amidst increasing cases of COVID-19, Maharashtra government has allowed all Corona vaccination centers in the state to operate round-the-clock. The hospitals and clinics have asked to appoint adequate staff, to speed up the injection drive in the state.
Suresh Mistry, an interior decorator of Pune told Afternoon voice, “I have taken one dose and wish to take a second dose too. So far nothing has happened to me, I am perfectly fine. There is unnecessary rumor-mongering on social media, we must trust in Vaccination and protect ourselves and our families”.
A health official at the COVID vaccination center said, “So far, 21.25 lakh people have been vaccinated against the COVID infection, people are hesitant but slowly they are coming forward. What we need is awareness about the vaccine.”
Dr. Sunil Baliram Gaikwad, former BJP MP shared his experience and said “I took my vaccine from Latur’s Gayatri hospital and Dr Ramesh Bharate did my vaccination. It is not only safe but painless too. I wanted to encourage my people, that’s why instead of just giving suggestions I chose to get vaccinated first. We all should be responsible for our own safety and safety of the people around.”
Maharashtra Health Department’s principal secretary Dr. Pradeep Vyas spoke to Afternoon Voice and said, “Presently, all our medical staff and front desk workers are locating people above 60 years of age and those aged between 45 and 59 with co-morbidities are eligible to get the vaccine shots. The state government wants to speed up the vaccination process to cover the eligible population. In this process, the Maharashtra health department is also adding more vaccination centers in the state. A number of private hospitals have also been roped in for the vaccination drive.”
Though, the only challenge health officials are facing is some people coming up with fake medical certificates to show they are qualified to take the vaccine, said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“We found some people in their late 40s who came up with fake medical certificates of co-morbidities to get the vaccine. When we asked to explain their ailment, we found they were insincere. Now BMC is on the hunt for locating such clinics and pathological centers also who are issuing these fake certificates, asserted an official from the department.
Meanwhile, 29 hospitals in Mumbai have been given nod to give COVID vaccine in addition to the BMC centers. BMC has allowed private hospitals to operate beyond working hours and has kept the daily vaccination target of 1 lakh.
Dr. Arya of Sanjeevan Criticare hospital said, “Since we have started Vaccination drive, many senior citizens volunteered themselves to us. There is a willingness in people to fight COVID, in spite of negative publicity”. When asked about the availability of vaccines, she said “government is taking care of adequate supply, there is nothing fear”.
