Over 200 construction site labourers including the likes of masons, carpenters, electricians, rickshaw pullers, housemaids, servants, some beggars and other street dwellers have been vaccinated at IIT (ISM) shopping complex today during a special vaccination drive organized by district administration for vulnerable.

The drive organized was part of the special vaccination drive series flagged off by the district administration. It was held as per the instruction of the government which asked the district administration to carry out vaccination drives for different vulnerable sections of the society for Covid by organizing special camps.

Talking to The Telegraph Online today, Dr Vikash Rana, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO), Dhanbad who is also the nodal officer for Covid vaccination in the district said, “we began the vaccination drive at around 10 am as per the schedule and carried out the vaccination as per the onsite registration process”

“Majority of beneficiaries who were vaccinated today belonged to Lahbani, Korangabasti, Mandal Basti and Maira Basti situated in the vicinity of IIT (ISM) campus including some staff of IIT (ISM) belonging to these villages” said Rana.

“Earlier we have carried out awareness camps in the villages to sensitise the masses about the vaccination drive with the help of some local social organizations besides the centre for societal mission of IIT (ISM) which is engaged in social work in these villages,” said Rana. He added that since many of the beneficiaries do not possess smartphones on the spot certificate distribution of these beneficiaries was organised for future reference while availing the second dose. The message concerning their vaccination has also been sent on their registered mobile phones.

“We will be organizing a special camp again for these beneficiaries after 84 days. All of them have been administered with Covishield jab today,” said Rana. He added that ISM Authorities including, professor Dhiraj Kumar, Dean (Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship) of the institute and others were also present during the vaccination camp.

“The awareness level among the beneficiaries was quite encouraging as the response in camp was better than our expectation” said Rana.

Notably the special series of vaccination drives was flagged off in the district on June 9 at Pehla Kadam school during which 60 physically and mentally challenged people were vaccinated. This was followed by the vaccination of 60 delinquents at a child reformatory centre on June 16. Then 80 petrol pump staff were vaccinated on July 4 across various petrol pumps of the district. Over 150 auto rickshaw drivers and LPG delivery men were vaccinated on July 9 while on July 15 a special camp was organised for the inmates of Barmasia Rehabilitation and Training Centre for Leprosy cured persons.