The Covaxin vaccination drive at the Sahid Nirmal Mahto Memorial Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad accelerated on its third day, having received a dull response on the first two. A total of 88 beneficiaries were vaccinated on Wednesday, while on Monday and Tuesday only 20 of them came to receive the jabs.

The elevated response was spurred by a meeting with all the doctors and staff held under the chairmanship of SNMMCH Principal Shailendra Kumar. During this he and Arun Kumar Chaudhary, Superintendent of the hospital, exhorted the doctors and staff to come forward and take the vaccine to spread a positive message in the society.

Talking to the media, Kumar said, “The administration of Covaxin began at our centre on February 1. The drive picked up pace on Wednesday with doctors and took the lead after a meeting.”

The Principal and I took the lead and carried out the drive. All the heads of departments and other doctors came forward to take the vaccine,” Chaudary told the media.

Dr Asutosh Kumar, who took Covaxin, explained that initially there were some confusions as to why Covaxin was being administered at their hospital but others received Covishield. “It came to an end after the meeting on Wednesday and all the staff showed up to receive the shots.”

District Reproductive and Child Health Officer of Dhanbad, Dr Vikash Rana said, “The response during the third day of drive at SNMMCH is really encouraging. We urge everyone to come forward and take the vaccine as it meant for their safety.”

Meanwhile, 754 beneficiaries were administered the vaccine at different centres of the district on Wednesday.