Queue management comes into focus at vaccination camps

Groups organising vaccination camps describe communication and queue management as a key factor in defining the quality of a camp. Shri Jain Sangh Kodambakkam, for instance, had only a WhatsApp flyer

Groups organising vaccination camps describe communication and queue management as a key factor in defining the quality of a camp. Shri Jain Sangh Kodambakkam, for instance, had only a WhatsApp flyer circulated among its members, but at the camp held on May 28, people from far-off areas were in attendance. Those who wanted to get the jab had to send their name, age and phone number through through a WhatsApp number and they were allotted a slot, a day before the camp. “Giving registered people a slot was a good idea as we did not have to see people queuing up at the campus,” says Gautham Bhandari, secretary of the Sangh. But, shared widely, his phone number received innumerable calls on vaccination day. “We should have mentioned a cut-off date and time for registration, otherwise people keep calling to know if they can come down on the day the camp is on,” says Bhandari. He says people need to understand that based on the registrations, the Greater Chennai Corporation decides on the number of vials to be brought to the venue. The Management of Don Bosco School of Excellence and the Class of 1985, which is organising a camp with the support of Greater Chennai Corporation on May 31, has a Google form for people to fill in details such as name, sex, date of birth, age, Aadhaar card number, mobile number and email address. Slots are intimated via email/sms and it plans to have “50 patrons per hour per slot.” A welcome area with 50 chairs has been identified. No first come first serve protocol is being followed and people have been asked not to come in advance and wait.