Citizens without an ID-proof in Lucknow now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

In a bid to widen the scope of COVID vaccination coverage in Lucknow, the health department has decided to kickstart vaccination for people without any identity proof. Since government identity card such as Aadhaar or PAN card is compulsory to book a slot for inoculation, these PWIs ( People without Identification) had been left out of the vaccination program so far. But now a new campaign has begun under which these people will be vaccinated via manual sessions in the city. Shelterless widows, persons in old age homes, nomads, sadhus, monks and other such people who do not have an ID can benefit from this move, said officials.

Lucknow initiates vaccination drive for PWIs

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Manual sessions of COVID vaccination avert the need to register for the shot on a personal ID. Instead, an individual can get vaccinated on the ID of the vaccination centre's nodal officer or superintendent of the hospital or the inoculation facility. Such people are registered manually by their names, known addresses along with the contact information of a known person. These contact numbers will be used to reach out to the PWIs when their second doses are due.

The Vaccination In-Charge of Lucknow informed that the health department has identified about 2,500 PWIs as yet. Their vaccination is underway. Once these people get their shots, this tally would be added to the beneficiary count and city vaccination coverage data.

As per estimates, about 5,000 PWIs could be living in Lucknow, who can be vaccinated through this drive. So far, the Lucknow vaccination drive has successfully administered over 75,51,727 doses of the COVID jab, including 42,17,018 first and 32,35,187 second shots. Reportedly, the figure is also inclusive of 99,522 precautionary 'third' shots.

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If you find a PWI, you can either get them registered on your government ID or refer them to a government-run vaccine booth In case people get them registered on their own contact, they will be contacted to inform the manually registered beneficiary for the second dose. As per protocols, these people will be administered in sets of 10, since a vaccine vial has about 10 doses, informed the Vaccination In-Charge of Lucknow.

Experts have tagged this move crucial for cent per cent COVID vaccination coverage. All people, irrespective of the fact whether they have an ID or not could be virus spreaders and carriers. As such, vaccination of all persons, over 15 years of age, is essential to drive active immunity among city folks.