The concept of getting the Covid-19 vaccine while seating in cars has received a good response in Bhubaneswar so far as over 8,000 people above 45 years of age have got the jabs in five drive-through centres without standing in a queue.

Residents of Bhubaneswar, especially senior citizens and differently-abled people, have appreciated this initiative of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) as no overcrowding was reported at such facilities unlike the walk-in vaccination centres in the city.

“There is no long queue and no crowd. We have been spared of all those troubles and got vaccinated in our cars," said Brahmapada Bhattacharjee, an 80-year-old man who came with his 75-year-old wife Soma to take the vaccine at the Esplanade One Mall in Rasulgarh Square.

At present, the BMC is running drive-in vaccination centres at Esplanade One Mall in Rasulgarh; DN Regalia Mall, Patrapada; Utkal Kanika Galleria, Kalpana Square; Symphony Mall, Rudrapur; and KIIT University Cricket Ground in three zones, South-East, South-West and North.

On an average, over 1,000 people above the age of 45 years are taking the second dosage of vaccine everyday while seating in their vehicles.

On May 8, the first day of drive-in vaccination launched at the Esplanade One Shopping Mall witnessed a turnout of around 430 persons. On May 10 also, 430 people were vaccinated at the mall. On May 11, around 460 people were vaccinated at this centre. After recording this good response from public, the BMC launched three more drive-in vaccination centres at Utkal Kanika Galleria Shopping Mall, Symphony Mall and KIIT University Cricket Ground on May 11. The first day at these facilities saw as many as 287, 288 and 253 people taking the vaccine, respectively.

On May 12, one more centre, DN Regalia Shopping Mall, was added into the list. On this day, as many as 460, 276, 254, 270 and 280 people were vaccinated at Esplanade One Mall, Utkal Kanika Galleria Mall, Symphony Mall, DN Regalia and KIIT University Cricket Ground, respectively. On May 13, these facilities respectively witnessed 435, 271, 257, 266 and 263 people taking the jabs.

On May 14 also, these centres attracted good numbers of people getting the vaccine from the comfort of their vehicles.

As many as 460, 265, 251, 294 and 300 people were vaccinated at Esplanade One Shopping Mall, Utkal Kanika Galleria, Symphony Mall, DN Regalia and KIIT University Cricket Ground, respectively.

People above the age of 45 awaiting their second COVID-19 vaccination shot can book their slots.

All those above 45 years who have taken their first dose at a Government or a private facility in Bhubaneswar can take their second shot at any of these centres. Registration on CoWIN App along with an appointment is a mandatory.

As per the norms, the beneficiary citizens are advised not to self-drive after taking the jab. He/she should be accompanied by an attendant or a driver in each vehicle.