Balasore/Bhadrak/Keonjhar: Protesting unavailability of Covid-19 vaccine, a number of senior citizens who had come to a vaccination centre to take the second dose, staged dharna in front of Nilagiri Community health centre (CHC) in the district on Monday.
Though they had rushed to the health centre to take their final shot, they were reportedly asked to return due to unavailability of the vaccine.
Beneficiaries alleged that they have been visiting the centre every other day for the second jab, but to no avail. “We are frustrated due to the shortage of vaccine. How many time we will come to the health centre in this summer,” said an elderly beneficiary.
“I was advised to take the second jab 28 days after the first shot. When I visited the centre on the scheduled date, they refused to give and suggested me to visit after 42 days. Today is 48th day since my first dose still, they are repeating same thing,” another beneficiary alleged.
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“We are feeling nervous as the vaccines are not available for the second shot,” he added while expressing concerns.
Meanwhile, the hospital authorities discussed with the protesting beneficiaries and assured them of taking measures to resolve the issues at the earliest. Following the assurance, they withdrew the stir.
In a separate incident, Covid appropriate behaviour like social distancing norms were thrown to the winds at a vaccination centre in Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district.
Heavy rush of beneficiaries was witnessed outside the vaccination centre, flouting Covid-19 norms. Later, police forces were deployed at the centre to enforce the social distancing norms and other government guidelines.
However, the inoculation drive was halted at Bhandaripokhari health centre following vaccine crisis.
Similar situation was observed at a vaccination centre at Anandpur in Keonjhar district where hundreds of beneficiaries were seen standing in a long queue since early morning.
Hospital sources said there were only 150 vaccine doses available in the centre while thousands were lined up outside the centre. They were also least bothered about the Covid guidelines, an official said.
Similarly, social distancing norm was also openly violated at a vaccination centre in Pipili in Puri district due to heavy congregation of beneficiaries.
The District Collector, Samarth Verma said measures are being taken to avoid large congregation at vaccination sites.
“Token would be given to the beneficiaries from 6 am only those who are in queue. 200 token will be distributed. Those who obtain the token should remain in line for the inoculation and other would return,” the Collector said.