Several private hospitals were filled with vaccine recipients in the 45 years to 59 years category on Saturday, most of them using the holiday to get themselves vaccinated. Hospitals expect a rush on Sunday too.

Officials in the hospitals said they witnessed a sharp spike in the total vaccination numbers compared to the last few days, primarily because of a large number of office-goers taking the jab on Saturday.

Peerless Hospital vaccinated 391 people on Saturday, with 223 of them in the 45 to 59 group.

Belle Vue Clinic vaccinated 380 people, 190 of who were below 60. AMRI Hospitals vaccinated 900 people, with nearly 630 of them in the below 60 group.

Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences vaccinated 300 people, with 210 of them in the below 60 category.

All the hospitals said they were expecting a good turnout on Sunday. “A lot of offices remain open on Saturdays, but most offices are closed on Sundays. There could be a rush of recipients on Sunday,” said the official of a private hospital.

The Centre had opened the vaccination for anyone above 45 years from April 1.

Officials of hospitals said the number of recipients in the 45 years to 59 years category was picking up and they expect it to rise in the coming days. Since the people in this age group have to step out frequent for work, it is necessary to vaccinate them fast.

The Centre has asked all vaccination centres to remain open on Sundays from this week.

A 50-year-old man who is yet to take the jab said vaccination centres should have more vaccinators on weekends and other holidays as many office-goers would prefer to take jabs on these days.

“The vaccination centres should also extend the hours of vaccination on weekdays to continue giving the jabs till late in the evening,” he added.

Covid caution

A policeman stops a motorcyclist without a mask at the Park Circus crossing on Saturday Pradip Sanyal

The cop makes him wear one Pradip Sanyal