FROM December 1, citizens would need to shell out money for vaccine against COVID-19. Yes, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken the decision as there is a feeling that vaccination programme needs some definite period and cannot continue eternally.
Hence, free first dose of Covishield and Covaxin that is available at civic run centers would be stopped after month end, said Additional Commissioner Ram Joshi.
He further said, of the total eligible population in 18 years plus age group about 2.80 lakh have still not been inoculated with even the first dose.
There is reluctance among some section of population due to which it was decided at Government level to set a deadline so that citizens would get their jabs. State Government has told local bodies that by November 30, the eligible population must be given the first dose.
Thereafter, civic centers would continue to provide second dose free of cost, for the first dose beneficiaries would have to pay the stipulated fees as fixed by Central Government.
Joshi felt that atleast the prospect of having to purchase the vaccine may ensure citizens to make up their mind fast and visit nearest civic center for free job.
The vaccination programme by roping in social organisations
Vaccination programme started in city from the mid-February with opening of few centers to inoculate eligible population in age of 60 plus and people with co-morbidities.
Starting with just a dozen odd centers, NMC scaled-up the vaccination programme by roping in social organisations and right now about 160 centers are providing free jabs to citizens.
Right now of the 19.73 lakh population identified for vaccination, about 16.92 lakh have taken their first dose.
Asked about reasons for slowdown, Joshi said there are some pockets in Gandhibagh, Ashinagar, Mangalwari Zones where citizens were having some issues about vaccination.
Now most of them are addressed and citizens are now lining-up at civic run centers to get themselves vaccinated.