Prayagraj: Educated youngsters in rural areas such as Jasra, Chaka, Kotwa, Jhunsi, Shankargarh, Handia, Mauaima, Kaurihar, Manda, Phulpur, Dhanupur, Karchana, Holagarh and Soraon are not only getting themselves vaccinated but are also convincing and helping out their relatives, peers and neighbours to get the jab against Covid-19. These educated and tech savvy youths are also offering help to those who are not friendly with technology, and are getting them registered on the CoWIN portal for vaccination. Officials of the health department claimed that vaccination exercise is progressing steadily at 21 rural vaccination sites. Recipients of all age groups have also started arriving at centres in decent numbers to get the jab, added officials. A young resident from Jhunsi, Vikram Patel, said, “Youths are well aware about the Covid vaccination programme. We are supporting our neighbours, friends and others in getting them registered on the CoWIN portal.” “Initially, there was hesitation among rural residents with regard to vaccination, but now most of them have understood the dire need of vaccination against this deadly disease, and are willing to receive the vaccine doses in all circumstances,” added Patel. Another recipient from Jhunsi, Vinod Kumar, said, “We are also encouraging our friends and relatives to get the jab, and have been educating them about how important a tool vaccination is against fighting Covid-19.” Many recipients at a community health centre in trans-Ganga area were seen in groups posing for a selfie after getting vaccinated. Moreover, the state health authorities, in a bid to intensify the vaccination drive in rural pockets, have offered registration service at common service centres (jan seva kendra). Due to this, beneficiaries from trans-Ganga and trans-Yamuna pockets are now able to get themselves easily registered at common service centres spread in 23 blocks of Prayagraj district. A senior health official said, “There are over 93,000 jan seva kendra across 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. With the registration facility available in these centres, the vaccination drive in rural areas will definitely get a boost.” As many as 4,78,029 Covid vaccine shots have been administered to beneficiaries of all age groups in the district till May 20. While 3,74,502 beneficiaries have taken the first dose of vaccine, a total of 1,03,836 recipients have received the second dose as well. Besides, beneficiaries above 45 years of age are also being vaccinated at other vaccination centres (which are not open to those in the age group of 18-44 years) in rural as well as urban areas. Additional chief medical officer and district immunization officer (DIO) Dr Teerath Lal told TOI, “The vaccination exercise is being carried out at 21 community health centres in rural areas of the district in order to cover maximum number of beneficiaries aged above 18 years.” As per the updated information, a total of 8,153 vaccine shots were administered to recipients of all age groups in the past 24 hours, which included 8,033 recipients of the first dose and 120 of the second dose.