Farmers Movement Archive

Vaccination drive off to a slow start at Delhi borders, 412 farmers jabbed

CHANDIGARH: Vaccination turned out to be slow starter on the Singhu-Kundli border and almost a non-starter at Tikri border in Bahadurgarh town of Jhajjar district of Haryana. Health authorities, in collaboration with Indian Red Cross, had started vaccination at Singhu and Tikri borders on March 17. Vaccination picked up pace at Singhu-Kundli border later. On Saturday, 412 farmers received the first dose of the vaccine here. Health authorities have set up one vaccination site at the agitation site and one at Rasoi Dhaba. Dr Avnita, nodal officer, expressed satisfaction over farmers’ turnout at Singhu. “The turnout could be low as compared to cities or other sites. You see the kind of challenges but farmers are coming with word of mouth. Our volunteers do visit camps but the actual result is due to motivation by their own people. We have a mixed crowd of men and women. Rest, we shall continue and are hopeful that the number will go up in the time to come, especially after April 1, when we shall start vaccination for other categories,” she said. Meanwhile, health officials are making attempts to convince agitating farmers, their supporters and workers in kitchens to get themselves vaccinated. Sources said one vaccination site has been set up at HL City area. They added that the vaccination at HL City and Rasoi Dhaba started on the same day, but at HL City site, which is close to the agitation site in Tikri, only 10 persons have been vaccinated so far. “First, farmers need to be volunteers. Secondly, one vial contains 10 injections and we are supposed to keep wastage under control. We cannot afford to waste as we have to give explanation as well. “Also, farmers are discussing this with their committee. We hope to pick up pace after Holi,” said Dr Vinay Deswal, nodal officer for healthcare and medical facilities for agitating farmers at Tikri border.

The Times of India

2021-03-28

Chandigarh