Prison officials, old age home officials can serve as the key facilitators, the Centre said. The Centre has identified several groups of people for vaccination without photo identity cards. Such groups of people include nomads (including sadhu/saints from various religions), prison inmates, inmates in mental health institutions, people in old age homes, beggars, people residing in rehabilitation centres and any other identified eligible persons not have any of the seven prescribed photo ID cards. "Covid-19 vaccination services may not be denied in absence of identity proofs," the ministry said. With the advent of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, prison authorities have raised the issue of the rapid spread of the infection among prison inmates.

Source: Hindustan Times May 07, 2021 04:42 UTC