The Union health ministry has asked the Bengal government to start door-to-door Covid vaccinations as part of its new policy to speed up the jab process but the state is yet to start the drive.

Sources in the health department said Bengal was yet to launch the doorstep jab drive as the state government has fielded a large number of health staff to bring people to vaccination centres.

“For door-to-door jab, we need more staff. However, we are awaiting a nod from

the state government to launch the drive advised by the Centre,” said a senior health official.

The Union health ministry launched Har Ghar Dastak (knock on every door) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the drive virtually on November 3.

Bengal vaccinated 8.3 crore people till Wednesday evening. Of them, 5.9 crore received the first dose and 2.4 crore their second dose.

Other health officials said if the door-to-door vaccination rolls out, rush at jab centres would drop. “The priority for the door-to-door drive is to vaccinate those left out or reluctant to take the jab. Once it starts, people don’t need to come to vaccination centres,” said an official.

Delhi has asked the Bengal government to send a report on the door-to-door jab every week.

“Initially, it will be a month-long programme and will run till November 30. We are already late in starting the drive,” said a source.