SCR lags behind on vaccination goals

Senior officials appeal for more vaccine supplies; unions rue Centre’s apathy

The Railways’ grand plan to have the entire workforce, including families, vaccinated against COVID-19 by July-end is unlikely to be achieved by end of this month too, considering the manner in which vaccination has been taken up so far. An official circular issued by the Railway Board last month to general managers of the 17 zones sought expedition of the vaccination process but since the vaccine supply is totally dependent on the State governments, it was simply not possible. Till date, for 90,000-odd employees of South Central Railway (SCR), more than 64,000 got the first dose while over 26,000 got the second dose. Even contractual employees are covered in this vaccination process but senior officials admitted that inoculation happens as and when the vaccine supplies come in from the respective State health departments.