Mobile vaccination centre launched in Kolkata to inoculate people for Covid-19

<p>
<strong>In a bid to reach out to people and vaccinate them against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a ‘vaccine on wheels’ initiative was launched in Kolkata recently.</strong></p>
<p>
The 'vaccine on wheels' was inaugurated on Thursday at Posta Bazaar by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). This Bazaar is the State Capital’s largest wholesale market of vegetables and groceries in the city.</p>
<p>
According to Firhad Hakim, Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Government of West Bengal, the initiative was launched by KMC in cooperation with the Health and Transport Departments of the State Government.</p>
<p>
In order to take the vaccination process directly to the people, a bus was converted into a Covid vaccination centre. This mobile vaccination centre will travel to different markets of Kolkata to vaccinate priority groups, including vegetable and fish sellers. The basic idea is to help those who are unable to go for vaccination, leaving their businesses for hours.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Kolkata_Vaccination_Bus2.jpg" style="width: 700px; height: 466px;" /></p>
<p>
The bus which is air-conditioned has been provided by the Transport Department for vaccinating priority groups at the different markets.</p>
<p>
Speaking to the media present at Posta Bazaar, Hakim said: “Since these people cannot go to a vaccination centre leaving their business for several hours, we decided to bring the facility to their doorsteps.</p>
<p>
He went on to add with the launch of this bus a number of others too will be used for the purpose of vaccination of people. “There are several buses available and using these, we can vaccinate the people at the markets itself.”</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/first-drive-in-covid-vaccination-centre-in-kolkata-launched-from-june-93087.html">First drive-in Covid vaccination centre in Kolkata launched from June 4</a></strong></p>
<p>
Shashi Panja, the Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare said that the Posta Bazar Merchants’ Association, transporters and porters had written to her, seeking vaccination of these people. “I am happy that the vaccination on wheels programme in the state was inaugurated from here,” she said.</p>
<p>
Among those present at the event were the Transport Secretary Rajesh Sinha, Municipal Commissioner Binod Kumar and West Bengal Transport Corporation Managing Director Rajanvir Singh Kapur.</p>