CHENNAI: Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi has directed doctors to identify diabetic and hypertensive patients (across age groups) in the city and mobilise them for vaccination.
Charting the city’s vaccination course, the corporation’s focus is on erstwhile hotspots and on traders at present, apart from diabetic and hypertensive patients.
Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi told Express that at Koyambedu, an erstwhile hotspot, around 600-700 people are vaccinated every day. Sometimes, these vaccinations start as early as 5 am. So far, more than 12,000 workers, traders and drivers in Koyambedu have been vaccinated.
"In Kasimedu, which was also considered a hotspot, we had started vaccinations around 10 days back and have administered around 4,000 doses so far," the Commissioner said. At the Chintadripet fish market, 89 people have been vaccinated.
Apart from this, traders, shopkeepers and staff around the city are also being vaccinated on priority. As part of its restructured vaccination plan, the corporation will administer vaccinations at Urban Community Healthcare Centres (UCHC) and special locations in each zone, and not focus on Urban Primary Healthcare Centres (UPHC).
Earlier the corporation had administered vaccines at primary healthcare centres among other centres. Now, the civic body has identified three locations across each zone with complete arrangements including registration, apart from the 20 UCHCs within corporation limits. This means the city will have 65 vaccination centres apart from the special camps that are to be conducted.
“As far as UPHCs are concerned, we will vaccinate wherever needed,” said Bedi.