PUNE: The Covid vaccine drive for people above 60 and those over 45 with comorbidities will see a limited launch on Monday at select civic-run and government hospitals in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.More private hospitals will join the drive within the next few days, officials said.
A total of six hospitals will carry out the first sessions in PMC and PCMC limits. For PMC areas, the list includes Kamala Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, Jayabai Sutar and Sassoon hospital. The two hospitals in PCMC limits will be finalised on Monday. Pune rural may get as many as 100 vaccination sites.
“The vaccination module (with instructions and details of beneficiaries) is expected on Monday morning. Once we get it, for the next couple of days, we will be assessing response at government hospitals before adding centres,” Ashish Bharati, head of the PMC’s health department, said.
Jabs for healthcare and frontline workers will continue simultaneously. There are currently 30 hospital sites offering vaccines in PMC areas. The PCMC has eight.
Rajesh Patil, PCMC commissioner, said the drive on Monday will be largely “symbolic”. “We are yet to get clarity on the number of allocated doses. So it will take a few more days for the actual drive to start. As of now, vaccinations here will be carried out at two sites.”