With the elderly and specially abled finding it difficult to wait at the Covid-19 vaccination centres, some cities like Mumbai and Bhopal have come up with drive-in facility.
The financial capital of the country, Mumbai got its very first drive-in vaccination centre on Tuesday. This move by the authorities was well received by the people of the city.
The vaccine facility is located in Dadar and is based out of the multi-storeyed Kohinoor parking lot.
The senior citizens and disabled citizens can get their vaccine doses in the comfort of their car itself as they are allowed to get it while sitting inside the car at this facility. The beneficiaries need to spend 30 minutes inside the vehicle for the vaccination process.
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Welcoming this facility, a senior citizen who took the vaccination at the facility said, “We spent the waiting period sitting inside our car. It prevents our exposure to the virus and is also more comfortable for people who can’t walk or stand for a longer time.”
The vaccination centre came up following demand for home vaccination of those who couldn’t queue up outside centres while the innoculation drive is yet to take off in housing societies.
The drive-in vaccination facility is located opposite the G north ward.
Talking about the facility, a staff member said: “The same facility was used for the RT-PCR test. We received a very good response for swab testing as well. The response for vaccination has been good on the first day. We have tied up with a nearby hospital to address any post-vaccination complications. An ambulance has been stationed at the facility. Citizens bringing vehicles will need to pay a parking fee of Rs 60 an hour."
Bhopal's drive-in Vaccination Centre (Pic: Courtesy Twitter/ndtvfeed)
Drive-in at Bhopal
From entertainment to health facility is what Bhopal’s once a drive-in movie theatre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has now been turned into. It has been converted into a COVID-19 drive-in vaccination centre where people can get their shot while sitting inside the safety of their cars.
The MPTC started the drive-in centre at Ashoka Hotel in the city where immunisation started from May 1. It came into being when the Centre launched the phase 3 vaccination drive for those above the age of 18 across India.
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Due to adequate social distancing and no possibility of crowding, many people said they felt safer while getting their Covid vaccine dose here as compared to going to the hospital.
According to the Ashoka Hotel Manager KK Patel the response from the people has been good. "They are getting the shot in open-air, while sitting inside their car. They are being asked to wait for around half an hour in the vehicle after taking the dose (to monitor their health)," he told ANI. He added that the drive-in vaccination is safe for people.
Patel informed that vaccinations are done between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for which registrations have to be made online through the Cowin portal or Aarogya Setu app.
The vaccination centre came up as cinemas and other entertainment complexes are shut in the State due to restrictions to tackle the Covid outbreak.
The tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Department of Public Relations in Madhya Pradesh said: "Drive in vaccination has started in Madhya Pradesh's first 'Drive in Cinema' Bhopal… It is being operated in the premises of Hotel Lake View located in Shyamala Hills of the State Tourism Corporation."
Another tweet said: "For safe vaccination, a pick and drop facility has also been introduced for the people. Interested persons can contact the Transport Branch of the Tourism Corporation at number 90397 61097."
