The East Singhbhum district administration started a special vaccination drive for students and others going abroad for work on Tuesday.

The vaccination drive, organised at the district collectorate building at Sakchi, saw as many as 18 people getting their Covid-19 vaccine in the presence of deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar and other officials.

In all, 88 students and others who are all going abroad, have registered themselves for the service.

Deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum Suraj Kumar (right) hands over a vaccination certificate to a student going abroad in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Health department officials said only Covishield would be administered during the special drive and that the time interval between two doses had been reduced from 12-16 weeks to four weeks for their convenience.

"Those seeking vaccination during the special drive will have to carry their passport, Aadhaar card and visa to get the shot at the vaccination centre. A vaccination certificate would be issued from the vaccination centre," said an official of health department.

The health official explained that those who had already taken the first dose of the vaccine and needed to travel abroad, either for work or studies, would also benefit from this drive.

The vaccination drive which will begin at 9am and continue till 5pm everyday will offer both the first and second doses of Covishield.

Notably, every year, several students from the steel city fly to the USA and other countries for pursuing higher studies.

“The special vaccination drive would benefit such students going abroad for further studies or have secured jobs outside the country. We started the special vaccination drive for all those who are leaving for abroad as they need to get vaccinated at the earliest, without any hassles,” said Dinesh Ranjan, an official at the district collectorate.