Team Herald

PANJIM: The ongoing vaccination drive pan-Goa was largely affected by the cyclonic storm on Sunday as heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed the State since around 3 am.

Some vaccine centres were closed as the staff could not travel owing to the Cyclone Tauktae impact, power outage and extremely poor internet connectivity.

“Vaccination drive has been affected due to Cyclone Tauktae’s impact. Many centres have no internet connectivity and power supply, and staff too has not been able to report to work,” State Immunisation Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said.

In North Goa, the centres at Porvorim, Mayem, Candolim, Corlim, Siolim and Casarvanem while in South Goa Balli vaccine centre were shut. The information was shared until the first half of the day.

Those who were left out on Sunday, Dr Borkar said that they will try to vaccinated them at their respective centres on Monday.

In a late night development, the Immunisation Officer informed that people in the age group of 18-44 years who had booked an appointment at government vaccine centres on May 16 and could not get vaccinated, can go to the respective centres on May 17 with the appointment message from 9 am to 4 pm. They will have to re-register themselves in case they are unable to take the jab on Monday.

A total of 1,417 doses were administered in Sunday. Office of Health Minister stated that Candolim and Balli centres could not conduct the sessions on Sunday but vaccination will resume on Monday.