Walk in for a jab: From Sunday, Goa opens vaccine drive for all

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday that from June 13, any citizens above 18 would be able to walk in and get the jab without the need for prior registration. The new drive, Tika Utsav 3.0, is part of the state’s target to ensure that every individual from eligible groups have received at least one dose by July 31.
The drive will be conducted at 164 locations at the panchayat and municipality level, as well as 40 permanent locations by the directorate of health services.
Sawant said that in Goa, 30% of those in the 45-60 age group haven’t yet taken even the first dose of the vaccine.
“PM Narendra Modi has taken a decision to give vaccination free of cost to all above the age of 18, following which we started vaccination accordingly in the 18 to 44 age group,” Sawant said. “For all those in this age group, we will start vaccination from Sunday under Tika Utsav 3.0.”
We will have it in gram sabhas and municipalities, and a timetable will be declared soon. Without creating a rush, they can walk in and receive their dose.”
He said that the state plans to vaccinate up to 250 persons a day at each of the vaccination centres.
“But we need your cooperation,” the CM said. “Citizens are requested to go to their own gram panchayat or municipality itself on the declared day of the vaccination in your area. Kindly do not rush to other panchayats for vaccination. There is no need to register, and you can walk-in and take the vaccination. The Goa government has set a target of giving the first jab to all in eligible age groups by July 30.”
Addressing vaccine hesitancy, Sawant stressed that there is no way to defeat Covid-19 other than taking the jab.
“Today, 70% of those in the 45+ age group have taken the vaccine. I request my Goan brothers and sisters: We have 87 vaccination centres, and they should visit the centres and take their first dose of vaccination at the earliest,” Sawant said.
He said that for the new drive from Sunday, one need not belong to any priority group.
“We were worried that a third wave will affect children more,” he said. “Hence, from the 18-44 age group, we gave first preference to lactating mothers, parents with children upto age 15, youth with comorbidities and seafarers. We have received very good response over the past eight days.”