Chennai: Despite incessant rain in many districts, as many as 16,32,498 people were vaccinated during the eighth mega Covid-19 vaccination camp held on Sunday. Of them, 5,44,809 people received the first dose of the vaccines and 10,87,689 the second, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian.
The State conducted around 50,000 camps. In the first vaccination camp, the State vaccinated 28.91 lakh people, in the second 16.43 lakh people, in the third 25.04 lakh people, fourth 17.04 lakh people, fifth 22.85 lakh, and sixth and seventh 23.27 lakh and 17.20 lakh people, respectively.
Subramanian inspected the vaccination drive conducted between 7 am and 7 pm in various places such as primary health centres, government hospitals and schools.
In view of the vaccination exercise on Sunday, there would not be any special camp on Monday (15 November 15).
Earlier, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan urged those who have not taken the first dose and those due for the second to make use of the mega camp.
He said there were 1.61 crore people in the State, eligible to take the first dose, while 71.15 lakh were due or overdue for the second.
Subramanian said because of rains, the response was dull at most of the camps. But still, the Health Department staff are visiting houses for vaccinating the people. Over 75 lakh people are due for the second dose. In the last three days, works to vaccinate over three lakh people at their doorsteps are going on.
Meanwhile, Tamilnadu on Sunday reported 805 new Covid cases as against 809 on Saturday. After 929 persons were discharged, the number of active cases stood at 9,616.
Subramanian had recently said nearly 72 percent of the people have availed the first dose of vaccine while 33 percent received the second dose, so far. We hope to cover the people who require the second dose of the vaccine, he said.