Odisha: Token system to streamline vaccination drive for 45+ people in Puri

Puri district authorities say tokens will be issued according to the availability of vaccine doses

BHUBANESWAR: The Puri district administration has introduced a token system for beneficiaries of 45 years and above to regulate the crowd at the vaccination centres.
“We will issue tokens as per the availability of vaccine doses. Those who do not have the tokens, will be asked to leave. This will help prevent unnecessary gathering at the vaccination centres. Police personnel have been deployed at the vaccination centres to streamline the system and evict non-token holders,” Puri district collector Samarth Verma said.
As seen in other places, the vaccination centres in Puri have been witnessing a mad rush of beneficiaries, all of 45 years and above, making it difficult for the authorities to enforce social distancing during the alarming second wave of the Covid-19. Since the government has allowed online as well as offline (on the spot) registration of beneficiaries in the 45 and above age group, a large number of people have been thronging the vaccination centres and jostling for space to get inoculated. Against the availability of only a few hundreds of doses, thousands of people have been gathering at the session sites, leaving the administration at its wits’ end and triggering fears of mass infection.
On Monday, Puri superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh visited various vaccination centres and took stock of the security arrangements. Police apprehend gathering of a large number of people and unavailability of sufficient vaccine may lead to law and order situation at the vaccination centres.
“I interacted with the public and reviewed the police arrangements for ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour at the vaccination centres. The district administration and the Puri police are making the best possible efforts to ensure compliance of social distancing and hassle-free vaccination at those centres,” Singh said.
Altogether 1,92,996 persons in the 45 and above age group have taken their first dose and 23,110 second dose in Puri district till Sunday. Owing to the shortage of vaccine, the government has not yet started vaccination for people belonging of the 18 to 44 age group in the pilgrim town.

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