Volvo launches 'vaccination on wheels'

Hyderabad: Volvo Group, in partnership with Narayana Health, and under the aegis of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Friday has launched 'vaccination on wheels' - a free vaccination drive through a specialised Volvo bus. This bus will operate as a mobile vaccination clinic and provide enhanced and easy vaccine accessibility to people across several districts in rural and semi-urban Karnataka, Volvo said.

The mobile clinic was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai along with key state dignitaries in the presence of Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health, Kamal Bali, President and MD, Volvo Group, India, and Ramesh Ramadurai, Chairman, CII, Karnataka.

The Volvo vaccination bus will operate for four to six months with a capacity to administer 700-800 doses per day. The bus is fully equipped for the purpose, including 4 vaccination stations, storage and refrigeration of the vaccines, emergency beds, pantry and a chemical toilet.

The bus is accompanied by experienced Doctors and Paramedics from Narayana Health who will administer and oversee the inoculation process, together with on-site registration and waiting areas for public. It will commence its mission starting with Bangalore Rural district of Karnataka, Volvo added.

Kamal Bali said, "We have made an extensive outreach to support communities throughout this pandemic from providing oxygen concentrators, ventilators and essential hygiene kits to frontline workers to setting up ICU beds and running a Covid care centre."

Dr Devi Prasad Shetty said, "Vaccination coupled with strict adherence of the preventive protocols is the most effective way to protect and control the spread of Covid-19. Through this initiative we want to ease the accessibility to the vaccine for all, including those who are unable to come forward to the vaccination centres owing to distance or physical constraints."