BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Tuesday revealed about 68% of people above 45 years of age in Bengaluru have been vaccinated against Covid-19 disease.
In all, 48 lakh doses of vaccine have been administered to nearly 35 lakh people, BBMP data shows.
While Bengaluru has 90,60,327 aged above 18 years and eligible to receive the vaccine, 34,70,962 or 39% of them have received the first dose.
Bengaluru’s population comprises about 25 lakh people above the age of 45 years and, of them, nearly 18 lakh have got at least one dose and five lakh have received both doses.
Among metropolitan cities, Bengaluru could overtake Mumbai in vaccination coverage soon, BBMP officials said.
The city’s administration estimated the population of the 18-44 years age group at 65 lakh.
Officials said nearly 17 lakh people or 26% in this age group have received the first dose despite several glitches in the early days of May.
Gaurav Gupta, chief commissioner of BBMP said: “Initially there were challenges with shortage of vaccines, but that has been overcome.
We are on the path of vaccinating 60 to 70% of the population in the city and that makes us better prepared for a third wave.
It will reduce hospitalisation.” Gupta said the agency has developed a special model with a 360-degree coverage strategy of all citizens.
“Besides the 45+ vaccinations in our hospitals and health centres, we have set up special camps to identify and vaccinate people in more than 30 categories to cover vulnerable sections of the society,” he said.
“The private sector was roped, and it played a crucial role in vaccinating apartment residents and also office and industry workers.
A major CSR initiative was set up with the help of corporates to mobilise vaccines for special segments.
Micro planning and day-to-day management have helped achieve a high turnout.
Camps were held for construction labourers, transgender community and slum dwellers.” He said intensive vaccine drives will help prevent the spread of the virus in rural areas as Bengaluru is the gateway to the state.
Bangalore Apartments Federation, whose member apartments house nearly 11 lakh residents including staff, said they have been able to achieve good coverage in their vaccination drives.
Vikram Rai, general secretary, Bangalore Apartments Federation said their vaccination drives began by the end of May and they tied up with a bunch of hospitals.
The federation and apartments have been pro-active in not just vaccinating the residents but also security guards, helpers and other staff.