Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has drawn flak for continuing drive-in vaccination programme despite the state government’s direction to desist from it as the scheme is a violation of Central guidelines.
Sources said the BMC had launched drive-in vaccination May 8 for second dose of the jab for 45-plus age group. The drive was carried out at the exit points of the shopping malls like Esplanade, Utkal Kanika Galleria, DN Regalia mall and Symphony mall. However, the state Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department May 19 ordered the civic body to refrain from the service for not implementing Centre’s Covid norms.
According to the guidelines issued by the Centre, vaccination sessions should be conducted in places with adequate space for waiting area, vaccination room and observation room so that beneficiaries can wait outside the parking area for 30 minutes to avoid any adverse events following immunization (AEFI). It has come to the notice of the state government that such guidelines were not being implemented by the civic body while carrying out drive-in vaccination facility at different malls and it ordered BMC to discontinue the service.
Instead of complying with the government’s order, BMC launched the facility at Fortune Tower and BDA Kalyan Mandap Friday. As per the guidelines, beneficiaries are required to be observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination. It is being alleged that beneficiaries were seen leaving the place after vaccination without waiting for 30 minutes.
On being asked, assigned officer of Utkal Kanika Galleria Satya Narayan Maharana said, “We are implementing Covid guidelines to make the drive-in vaccination facility successful. People are being vaccinated while sitting on chairs. Despite having adequate waiting space, people were seen leaving for home soon after vaccination.”
When contacted, BMC deputy zonal commissioner Anshuman Rath said “BMC is continuing the drive-in vaccination facility keeping in view the necessity of the situation. The drive is being conducted without flouting the Centre’s guidelines. Beneficiaries are made to wait for 30 minutes after vaccination .”
PNN