Pune: During the coronavirus pandemic, every corona warrior in public and private institutions providing direct or indirect aid will be given first priority for vaccination. The Pune district administration has compiled the information of such corona warriors in the city.

Considering the country's population of over 130 crore and limited availability of corona vaccine, the central government has issued three phases of vaccination. The first stage is made mandatory for the staff and officers working in the health sector. The health sector workers are in constant contact with health institutions and alternatively COVID-19 patients, so they are at higher risk of spreading the virus. Those with comorbidities, people above 60 years of age, children and the general public will be vaccinated too.

The work of collecting information from health workers in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and the Pune rural areas has already started a month ago. Information is being collected from doctors, dentists, nurses, wardboys, security guards and others from the government, private hospitals, clinics and other health institutions in the district. The number has reached 1.10 lakh citizens of which 90 per cent warriors belong to private organisations.

It includes 3,225 private and 85 government (municipal) health institutions (hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, maternity wards, labs, medical colleges) in Pune city. A total of 43,607 corona warriors are working in these semi public and private health institutions. While the 39,535 are working in the private sector and the remaining 10 per cent that is 4,072 from the public sector.

Dr Amit Shah, Immunisation officer at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said, “The list has been compiled after visiting government, private hospitals, MBBS, BMMS, BHMS and BDS doctors at clinics in the city where health services are available. A list of 43,605 to vaccinate nurses, wardboys, hospital security guards and the women helper in the first phase is compiled.”

Pune District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh confirmed that vaccination will be given to 1.10 lakh people. “Guidelines are being issued on priority factors for vaccination of COVID-19 warriors, equipment and arrangements for vaccination. As part of this, the National Expert Group Vaccination System is being developed. In the first round, the information of the health institution, officers and employees working in the health system is being collected. This includes private and government institutions.

WHO WILL RECEIVE THE DOSE FIRST?

· Doctors, dentists, nurses and other hospital staff

· Asha volunteers

· Lab technicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists

· Students in public and private medical colleges

· data entry operators, clerical staff and security guards.