Keeping in mind rising COVID-19 cases and the emergence of another virulent strain, Bajaj Finserv has decided to partner with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to conduct a vaccination drive in Pune. The initiative will require the joint effort of the Bajaj Finserv companies including Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company.
Health experts around the world have continued to maintain that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the deadly coronavirus. Studies have been conducted on the latest omicron variant and various findings have revealed that a third booster shot might be necessary to safeguard the populace. Accordingly, Bajaj is taking the initiative and pushing for a larger immunization coverage.
The proposed drive will be conducted from December 17, 2021, and will go on till December 31, 2021. It will cover urban and rural Pune, across seven wards of Akurdi, Bhosari, Jijamata, Sangavi, Talera, Yamunanagar and YCMH. The drive will be centered around 62 COVID Vaccination Centres (CVC) in these wards and is part of Bajaj Group’s continued efforts to achieve 100 per cent vaccination status in India.
This is not the first time that the multinational Group has come out in support of the Government’s vaccination efforts. So far, over 8 lakh COVID doses along with 9 lakh syringes have already been donated by the Group towards vaccination and awareness campaigns. The company also pledged Rs. 300 crores towards tackling COVID-19 since the pandemic began, which was immediately put to good use building capacity and upgrading infrastructure wherever required.
In August this year, Bajaj had conducted a similar vaccination campaign wherein more than 1.68 lakh residents of rural Pune were administered COVID vaccines. The Covishield vaccines used in the drive were donated by the Bajaj Group and were all utilized in a single day.
Uncertainty looms large over how the threat of the new COVID variant will pan out. The first deaths have already been reported in the UK and governments around the world are beginning to push for faster vaccination rates. Even as scientist and researchers continue to discover new and better ways to tackle the latest variant, vaccination will help provide a safety net for the world’s population. Bajaj Finserv’s efforts are, therefore, commendable and needs to be replicated in even corner of the country, and the world.