Over 39,000 people vaccinated in Delhi on Saturday

Over 39,000 beneficiaries, including 20,275 senior citizens, received COVID-19 vaccine shots in the national capital on Saturday, according to official data.

In the age bracket, 45-59 years, 3,685 beneficiaries received the jabs, a senior official said. On Wednesday 30,940 people had received shots. The number had fallen to 29,441 on Thursday. On Friday, the count rose again to 30,575, as per the official data shared by the health department.  On Saturday, 39,853 beneficiaries were given shots, officials said. 

One case of minor AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) was recorded, officials said. Under the nationwide mega vaccination drive launched mid-January, a total of 4,319 (53 per cent) health workers, against a target of 8,117, were administered the shots at 81 centres across the city on day one. 

In the first phase, starting January 16, over 3.6 lakh beneficiaries comprising healthcare workers and frontline workers, have been vaccinated in Delhi.  Over 5,100 senior citizens in Delhi had received their first shots of the vaccine on March 1 when the second phase of the vaccination drive began in the national capital.

According to official estimates, there are around 43 lakh people in the specified priority category of 60 years or above and those within 45-59 years with comorbidities in Delhi.
People within the age group of 45-59 years with comorbidities are required to produce a comorbidity certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner.

A total of 20 comorbidities have been specified for the vaccination, the officials said.  

People eligible for vaccination also have to carry their photo identity cards, including an Aadhaar card, PAN card or voter card. On Saturday, second doses were given to 10,470 people, officials said, adding, 3,117 frontline workers and 2,306 healthcare workers got their first shots.