Chennai: In a first of its kind initiative in India, the Tamilnadu government created a record of sorts by vaccinating more than 20 lakh people on Sunday in a mega camp organised across the state in a bid to make the State free from Covid and to prevent outbreak of a possible third wave.
This is the highest vaccination jabs administered to the people on a single day as the drive was organised to cover all left out unvaccinated eligible population in the State.
The government has targeted to inoculate 20 lakh people above 18 years in 40,000 centres from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm across the state. The target far exceeded the expectations as around 28 lakh people were vaccinated, thanks to the awareness created by the government on the
importance of getting vaccinated.
Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan thanked the people for turning out in large numbers in vaccination centres and help the government surpass the target.
Dr Radhakrishnan said another special mega camp would be held to enable those who got the first dose of today to get their second dose.
Following the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) model, the vaccination was administered in over 40,000 booths established in in primary health centres, government run hospitals, noon meal centres, schools, bus stands, railway stations and other locations were people would congregate in the state.
Under the IPPI, the State has 40,399 regular booths and 2,652 additional booths, taking the total number of booths to 43,051 where the vaccination was being administered.
The State government has made elaborate arrangements to vaccinate 20 lakh people above 18 years in these booths and received both first and second doses.
In order to avoid the third wave (of the Covid-19), the state is implementing the Covid-19 vaccination. It is very essential to attain the Covid-19 free status and also protect our people from the virus, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said.
Mobile vaccination booths were also operated to vaccinate the elderly and senior citizens. In several districts, people were lured for vaccination with attractive offers of top three prizes like silk saris, mobile phones and other gifts.
In Namakkal, free eggs–five for first dose and ten for second dose–were given as freebies, which drew public to vaccination centres in large numbers.
As people thronged the booths to get vaccinated, various types of prizes were given through draw of lots in several parts of the State.