Assam News

COVID-19 vaccination drive starts in State

The vaccination drive for the novel coronavirus started in the state as well as in the country on January 16. 176 health officials vaccinated in Lakhimpur

Sentinel Digital Desk

CORRESPONDENTS

LAKHIMPUR, Jan 16: The much-awaited COVID-19 vaccination drive kicked off in Lakhimpur district on Saturday along with the rest of the nation. Following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), a total of 176 health officials, workers of the district were vaccinated on the initial day.

On the day, the first phase vaccination drive was conducted at three session sites of the district selected by the State Government. These session sites are the North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital (NLCH), Laluk Model Hospital and Boginadi Model Hospital. The vaccine was administered to the health workers whose names have been already registered in the CO-WIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) App, a digital platform created for real-time monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine delivery and distribution.

In NLCH, the vaccine was administered to 39 health workers under North Lakhimpur urban area while 70 health workers under Bihpuriya Block Primary Health Center (BPHC) were administered the same at Laluk Model Hospital. Similarly, the vaccine was given to 67 health workers under Boginadi BPHC at Boginadi Model Hospital session site.

The vaccination drive was formally inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jeevan B. at NLCH session sites. Delivering an encouraging lecture, the Deputy Commissioner appealed to all to follow the COVID Appropriate Behaviours (CAB) strictly in order to prevent the contagion of the dreaded virus. He laid stress on maintaining physical distance, using face masks, frequent hand sanitization, prompt testing on observing symptoms and isolation on observing symptoms in his lecture and said that the best way to prevent COVID-19 infection was to avoid exposure to the virus. He also appealed to all to come forward to be vaccinated without any apprehension. Joint Director of District Health Services, Dr. Mahendra Das, District Immunization Officer Dr. Gunin Kumar Gogoi and other medical officers were present in the inaugural session.

The first dose of Covishield in the district was administered to Ear, Nose and Throat specialist Dr. Dhrubajyoti Borgohain at NLCH at 11.58 am. He was followed by gynecologist Dr. Moon Konwar. The 176 vaccinated persons will receive the second dose of the vaccine after 28 days. Any complaint of side-effect was not reported from the persons who were vaccinated on the day. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jeevan B visited the three session sites of the district.

GOLAGHAT: The Health Department of Golaghat started its COVID-19 vaccination programme on Saturday in Swahid Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital.

The programme was officially inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, Bibhash Chandra Modi. The COVID-19 vaccination programme for healthcare workers was also held at Swahid Kamala Miri Subdivisional Hospital, Bokakhat.

Dignitaries present at SKK Civil Hospital vaccination programme were ADC Health, Joint Director of Health Services, Additional CM&HO, District Immunization Officer, District Surveillance Officer, senior healthcare officials, NHM staff and support staff of the health department.

In Golaghat, altogether 4,200 persons have registered for COVID-19 vaccination. On Saturday, 100 health workers were given the vaccine.

TINSUKIA: Along with other districts of Assam, the first stage of the phase-I vaccination of COVID-19 begun in two places across Tinsukia district-LGB Civil Hospital Tinsukia and Hapjan BPHC.

Monojit Borkakoti, ADC (Health), inaugurated the vaccination drive at Tinsukia Civil Hospital in presence of Dr Altaf Ahmed, Joint Director of Health Service, Tinsukia while Dr Mridul Gogoi, Superintendent of Civil Hospital, was the first beneficiary at Tinsukia Civil Hospital. Dr Chandralekha Saikia of Hapjan BPHC volunteered for vaccination on the launching day. Monojit Borkakoti, ADC (Health), later informed media persons that 100 frontline medical workers would be vaccinated everyday with target beneficiaries of 10,716 persons.