Covid-19 vaccination centres across Odisha continued to witness unprecedented rush with people scrambling to get the jab to protect themselves from the infection.
A huge number of people today gathered at a vaccination centre at Ramlingam park in Berhempur to get the second dose of the vaccine. While social distancing norms were violated by the long queue of beneficiaries, chaotic and stampede like situations were also witnessed.
Beneficiaries were seen standing in long queue amid scorching heat and many of them returned home disheartened after the stock dried up.
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Ashalata Dalabehera of Berhampur, said, “I had visited the centre yesterday at 8 am, but the staff said 300 doses of vaccine have already been administered. They asked me to come today at 8 am. When I reached today, they again asked me to come at 2 pm. I am now waiting with a token.”
Similar rush were seen at Patrapur, Hinjili, Shergarh, Aska and other areas in the district.
The situation was no different at vaccination centres in Malkangiri district. A vaccination centre at MV-79 saw a huge crowd today. The residents expressed resentment over lack of any measures by the administration to control the crowd and streamline the vaccination.
In Balasore, some peculiar scenes were seen at Nishamani Government High School vaccination centre under Baliapal block. While only 300 doses were supplied to the centre, people from several villages gathered at the centre since last night. Placing bricks on the queue, people waited throughout the night for their turn to come.
Speaking on the crowd at vaccination centre, Director of Health and Family Welfare Department, Bijay Panigrahi said, “Earlier, there was hesitancy among people in taking vaccine shots but, now eagerness has increased among them. People are trying to vaccinate themselves at the earliest. As many people opt for onsite registration, huge crowd is seen at vaccination centres.”