Vaccination in the Maoist-infested Saryu and Domakharn areas of Latehar district kicked off on Friday afternoon where 40 beneficiaries, mostly tribals, got their first jab of Covishield as a bus doubled up as a mobile vaccination unit to reach them.

Latehar BDO Ganesh Rajak, who was present at the vaccination bus along with two nurses, said not a single dose went to waste as villagers showed interest in getting the jabs and also agreed to come to take their second dose after 84 days. He said four Covishield vials, vials each containing 10 doses, were opened and used.

Palamu district reproductive child health officer Anil Kumar Singh informed that 5,000 doses of the vaccine were dispatched to Latehar district from Palamu on June 3.

Talking about the drive, DC Latehar Abu Imran said, “Our rural medical mobile unit will be reaching out to people we find either on the roads or in the alleys of villages. We will persuade them to take the dose of the vaccine. Our officers are working hard to make sure every eligible person gets vaccinated.”

Saryu and Domakharn are places where Maoists still carry out attacks despite tight security measures but they caused no problem to the vaccination drive on Friday even in the most remote areas.

Locals said that though the rebels hate the men in khaki, they have respect for nurses and sahiyas, who were present during the drive.

Officials were also relieved as rain did not mar the drive on Friday. Extra care is being taken for the smooth execution of vaccination during the upcoming monsoon season.