UP plans to inoculate 10-12 lakh doses in a day

Uttar Pradesh on Monday kicked off the new phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive with an aim to administer 6 lakh doses per day and subsequently increasing the same to 10-12 lakh doses per day from the first week of July, in 6,000 Covid vaccine centres across the state.

Although the CoWIN app is not accepting registration from people above 18 years of age, on the spot registration at block level in rural areas has begun, where free vaccines are being provided to all citizens by the Centre.

While visiting Civil Hospital in Lucknow on Monday to check the progress of the vaccination campaign, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The Centre was providing free vaccines for only those above 45 years of age. But I would like to express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has now allowed free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. The vaccination drive has begun at more than 10,000 booths across the state today.”

Talking about the change, Anshul Gupta, a 21-year-old local resident, said, “The drive expanding throughout UP will help in covering most of the uncovered areas. It has now become easier to book a slot. The registration process has also become easy with more centres administering jab to people.”

Asha Tiwari (52), another local resident, said, “Earlier people were apprehensive about taking the vaccine but now the change is coming. With concentrated drives at block level, most of the villagers have understood that the vaccine is the only way to fight Covid.”

Talking about spreading awareness in rural areas, the state immunisation officer, Dr Ajay Ghai, said that a group of people will run public awareness campaigns in different areas to bust myths related to the Covid-19 vaccine.

“This awareness campaign will be conducted for three days before vaccination. The team formed for public awareness comprises teachers, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers etc,” he said. India Today