Vax drive: Senior citizens surpass health workers

Aurangabad: As many as 29,460 senior citizens have taken the first dose of the Covid vaccine in Aurangabad so far. The number shows that the response to the immunization drive among the senior citizens in Aurangabad district has been better in comparison to the other target groups.

While the elderly beneficiaries had already left behind the frontline workers in terms of Covid vaccination, now they have surpassed even the healthcare workers in taking the first vaccine dose.

So far, only 22,788 healthcare workers have taken the first dose of the Covid vaccine in Aurangabad district, whereas the number of frontline workers who have taken the jabs is 15,690. The number of citizens aged above 45 years (with comorbid conditions) has also increased to 13,334.

Given the good response to the immunization drive, vaccination centres will remain open on Monday even if it is a public holiday on account of Holi.

Aurangabad collector Sunil Chavan said vaccination against Covid-19 is an effective tool in combating Covid. “All target beneficiaries should undergo the vaccination. As announced by the Centre, everyone above 45 years will be eligible for the vaccine from April 1,” he said.

Dr Yashwant Gade, the secretary of the Aurangabad chapter of the Indian Medical Association, said the elderly population staying away from the false/negative propaganda surrounding the vaccine was key. “The senior citizens stay away from different social media platforms and, therefore, are not influenced by such propaganda. Many health workers and frontline workers are in their 30s and 40s and choose not to opt for vaccination. We again appeal to all beneficiaries to take the vaccine,” he said.