Delhi To Soon Start Door-To-Door Covid Vaccination, Says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that his government will initiate the door-to-door vaccination drive to speed up the immunisation process in the national capital.

In his daily briefing, Kejriwal said, “In 4 weeks, all above 45 years of age will be vaccinated” while urging all people to maintain Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Delhi started the ‘Unlock’ process today as the government opened up several restrictions to bring the economy back on track.

“Not many people are coming to vaccination centres. A team of booth level officers will visit every house in the next 2 days & provide a slot for vaccination. BLO will convince those who don’t want to get the vaccine. The campaign will start today with 70 wards,” Kejriwal said in his daily briefing.

Vaccination at Polling Booths

The Delhi Chief Minister also announced that residents above the 45 years age group will now be given anti-Covid vaccines at polling booths. Out of 57 lakh people in the 45-plus age group, 27 lakh have been vaccinated with the first dose, Delhi CM said.

“We are starting a ‘Jahan Vote, Wahan Vaccination’ campaign from today. Under this campaign, we will tell people to visit their designated polling stations to get vaccinated. Door-to-door vaccination to be done soon,” he said.

The national capital moved slowly towards normal life as markets and malls reopened after nearly two months on Monday morning. The Delhi Metro, the lifeline of the city, also resumed service with 50 per cent seating capacity and nearly half of its train fleet running from early morning.

Police and the district administration have formed teams to ensure no Covid norms are broken as the markets, malls and complexes reopen from 10 AM to 8 PM. Besides the markets and malls, standalone shops also reopened in the city adding a hint of busy city life.

 There are around 280 wards in Delhi. The BLOs will visit households in 72 wards from Tuesday to identify and send eligible persons for vaccination at the polling booths, he said.

The chief minister said polling booths are close to the homes of the people so they will not have to travel long distances to get the vaccine. Also, the government has arranged e-rickshaws to ferry people to the vaccination centres.

The BLOs will give slots for vaccination to people in the 45 plus age group at the nearest polling centre. In a cycle of five days, all the eligible persons will be covered.

"After covering all the 280 wards in four weeks, the government will be able to say that all those eligible (45 years and above) have received the vaccines,” Kejriwal said.

He said a similar drive will be conducted again for second dose vaccination after three months.

"When we will get vaccines for the 18-44 age group in the required quantity, we will start this programme for them too,” he added.

With PTI inputs