BELAGAVI: Amid concerns over new variants of coronavirus and a potential third wave, the health department will start a special vaccination drive in 96 villages of Belagavi district near the Maharashtra border on Monday.
The target is to jab all eligible residents in 10 days, said district health officer Shashikanth Muniyal.
The villages have a total population of nearly 5 lakh, of which, an estimated 3 lakh are eligible to take the vaccine.
The new Delta Plus variant has triggered some worries.
On Saturday, the central government directed Karnataka to redouble containment and testing efforts and increase vaccination coverage where the variant is detected.
A few cases of the variant have been identified in the state.
In neighbouring Maharashtra, an 80-yearold person infected with the strain died on Saturday.
The Belagavi district administration has tightened security in 23 border areas by deploying more health and police personnel.
Interstate travellers are required to carry a Covid-19 negative report and vaccination certificate.
Deputy commissioner MG Hiremath has been visiting border checkposts to inspect the implementation of these measures.
The health department’s plans to jab every eligible resident in the 96 villages in 10 days hinges on vaccine availability.
District immunisation officer IP Gadag told TOI that he was expecting only 3,000 doses every day for the special drive.
“If this stock of vaccines is received, it will take at least 60 days to complete the process.
We need at least 30,000 doses per day to cover the population in the stipulated time,” he added.
Gadad said that he had asked ASHA and anganwadi workers to gather data on the eligible population.
The workers are conducting door-to-door surveys for the same.
The department has set up centres in all the villages, and awareness programmes are underway.
Gadad said that it was crucial to achieve the vaccination target ahead of a possible third wave.