Karnataka government targets slum dwellers, auto and cab drivers for vaccination

Bengaluru: As the supply of Covid-19 vaccines is inadequate to vaccinate those between 18-44 of age, the Karnataka government had decided to utilize the existing stock by inoculating slum dwellers, auto and cab drivers, e-commerce delivery agents and construction workers. The drive is expected to launch in the first week of June.

The government has claimed that these groups are the most vulnerable and also, the designated frontline workers. Hence, the existing stock will be utilized to vaccinate this group on a priority basis.

In the latest vaccination policy which was declared on Saturday, the government said that even though the drive for those above 45 will be continued, the vaccination for 18+ is “currently unavailable”. It added that vulnerable and priority groups of people will be given the vaccination on designated dates and time.

Deputy chief minister and Covid-19 task force chairman, CN Ashwath Narayan said that the government has decided to reach out to people in slums, metro construction sites, and other congested sites to innoculate people.

He said, “While our main aim will be those over 45 years who have still not gotten vaccinated in these locations, we will also use current vaccine stocks to jab those under 44 years.”

Narayan said that the government will set up camps at metro construction sites, slums, and other construction sites. The camps at slums and construction sites would be obvious, so, for the auto and cab drivers who are always on the move, the drive will be conducted at a set point and SMS messages will be sent to their phones.

A government official said, “We are exploring the possibility of tracking auto and cab drivers through their contact details submitted to the transport department in 2020 when each of them was paid Rs 5,000 as a one-time relief during the nationwide lockdown.’

However, according to the officials, the government is unable to vaccinate even designated frontline workers with the current stock. An official said, “We are managing the best we can with what’s available.” Karnataka had a total of 4 lakh doses of both Covishield and Covaxin.

In the meantime, the decision to shift the inoculation centre to schools and colleges has started in 143 locations in Bengaluru and the outskirts.