795 poor get jabs at Archdiocese of Bombay’s camps

To ensure underprivileged aren’t left behind in vaccination, its Health Outreach Project is helping non-tech savvy people or those without a smartphone get vaccinated

Under the Archdiocese of Bombay’s ‘Vax the Poor’ campaign, which was launched 10 days back, nearly 795 people have been vaccinated across six centres in the city. “This campaign is for those who cannot navigate the CoWIN portal,” said Project Coordinator Dr Richard Pereira. We register beneficiaries, vaccinate them and follow up for their second dose. They only need to have a phone number and an Aadhaar card.”

A local parish team at a camp under the Archdiocese’s Health Outreach Project

The campaign is an activity of the Archdiocese of Bombay’s Health Outreach Project, under Bishop Allwyn and Dr Armida Fernandez and a core team of six more doctors.

Dr Cedric Moraes, Dr Rouen Mascarenhas, Dr Giselle Paes, Dr Cheryl Dsouza, Florencio Dsouza are the core team members of the Health Outreach Project, and Dr Zynia Branco is the in charge of the campaign.

Since the launch on June 20, the teams have held vaccination drives at Bandra, Dadar’s Salvation Church, Mahim’s Victory Church and Sevadan (near OLPS Church) in Chembur. 

Soon, teams will also be formed at Our Lady of Velankanni, St Francis Xavier Church Parksite, Lourdes Church SION, St Anthony’s Church, Malwani, Don Bosco Youth Services, Sacred Heart Andheri, St Joseph the Worker Bandra East and many more parishes.

“The only way out of the pandemic is vaccination,” Dr Pereira. He said they realised that those who are not digitally aware “cannot be left out of this ecosystem” and need to be brought to the vaccines. 

When asked about the main challenges in trying to convince people to get vaccinated, he said, “One was motivating and getting them to understand the importance of vaccines and overcome their hesitancy. The other main challenge was bringing them to the centres.”  But we managed to vaccinate hundreds of people in 10 days, and that “has been possible only due to enthusiastic and passionate teams working at ground level.”

Those who are not tech savvy and/or do not have a smartphone can send an SMS on 9920634541 to register for vaccination. The help desk will “guide them to a registration centre and facilitate their vaccination,” Dr Pereira said.

20 June
Day Archdiocese of Bombay launched ‘Vax the Poor’ campaign

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