Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: After two day-halt for weekend shutdown, the vaccination drive against Covid-19 has resumed across the State barring few places due to unavailability of vaccines.
In Cuttack, elaborate arrangements are on place at Jawaharlal Neheru Indoor stadium, which has been converted into temporary mega vaccination centre, for all above 45 years.
People who taking their final vaccination shots today, have been advised to visit the JN Indoor stadium.
“The indoor stadium has been made a centre for vaccination for beneficiaries who are waiting for their final dose. The stadium has enough space which can help maintain adequate physical distance during the exercise,” said Satyabrat Mohapatra, a CMC official.
The vaccination has begun from 9 am and will continue till 12 noon. The inoculation will resume again at 3 pm for two hours.
Heavy crowd has been seen at the indoor stadium for the second dose vaccination.
"Beneficiaries are queuing up in front of the stadium. Today, we will vaccinate 600 beneficiaries as per the schedule. Arrangements have been made accordingly,” an official said.
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Cuttack DCP Prateek Singh is also present at the spot to monitor compliance of the appropriate covid behavior due to the heavy rush.
“People are being given tokens and they have been advised to come as per their allotted slots,” Singh said.
The vaccination drive will also continue at other centres across the city as per schedule.
Those who have booked their slots have been asked to visit the centre at their turn, said the DCP.
On the other hand, the vaccination programme came to a halt in Balasore district due to shortage of doses.
People visiting various session sites to take second dose have been seen returning empty handed.
Beneficiaries expressed deep resentment due to closure of vaccination centres.
“I had received an SMS from the government. I was asked to visit the centre between 10 am and 12 noon. But, I came to the centre as per schedule and found the centre closed. No officials are present there to even clarify whether the vaccination programme would resume today,” an elderly beneficiary said.
Meanwhile the lockdown restrictions came to force again after two days of complete shut down in the twin city. The Commissionerate Police has remained on toes to act against the violators. Many people were seen roaming in the city misusing their identity cards. Police have asked the concerned offices providing emergency services to provide a list of their employees who will be only allowed to commute to their office during the restrictions.