Gurgaon: The second consecutive day of Covid-19 vaccinations for the 18-44 age group this month in government session sites was streamlined and better managed on Thursday compared to the previous day.
It came as a relief for second dose recipients of Covaxin in this age group as six government sites allowed them to walk in for jabs.
Covaxin isn’t being administered at government facilities for first dose recipients.
At present, the health department is concentrating on vaccinating people who are already in the second cycle for Covaxin.
The remaining 31 sites were administering Covishield only to first dose recipients.
Since only 7,400 slots (1,200 Covaxin and 6,200 Covishield) were available, many people had to return without jabs, but no untoward incidents took place.
While people were seen queuing up from as early as 6am like the day before, many left as soon as they came to know that the 200 slots allotted at each site were filled, aware that the entire process was on a first-come, first-served basis.
“I had been looking for second dose Covaxin slots for a week, as I got vaccinated with my first dose four weeks ago.
Finally, I managed to take the shot at the Tigra primary health centre (PHC),” said Saheli Sani, a resident of Sector 45.
The Wazirabad and Tigra PHCs, apart from the polyclinic in Sector 31, witnessed a huge footfall.
Akshath Prasad, a resident of South City-1, said: “I came to the polyclinic around 6.15am and got a token at 10.10am.
It is painful to stand in a queue and wait for your turn, but it is worth it.” “We have been getting an overwhelming response in the 18-44 category.
People are waiting for hours for their turn.
We are confident that the process will be even more streamlined soon,” said Dr Aman, the urban nodal officer for immunisation.
A similar walk-in drive is planned on Friday as well for Covaxin (six sites) and Covishield (31 sites) for this population.
Covaxin sessions will be only for second dose recipients, while Covishield will be given only to first dose recipients.
At each session site giving Covaxin, 200 slots will be available, but only 100 slots each will be available at sites administering Covishield.
“We have got vaccines for both 18-44 and 45-plus categories and thus vaccination drives are being carried out regularly.
We are expecting to get more doses in the coming days,” said Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer, Gurgaon.
On Thursday, 15,075 people in the 18-44 age group got inoculated in the city.
In the 45-plus category, 1,698 people took the shots.
As many as 99 healthcare workers and 192 frontline workers were also vaccinated.