* Government offices to function normally from July 1
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Government inoculated over 50 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, and it has set the target of inoculating 90 lakh people in a month. The State will be in a comfortable situation if this target is achieved, leading to the relaxation of many restrictions. Thus the vaccination has to assume a breakneck speed.
Making this public, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed to all political parties, NGOs and organizations to motivate the people to come forward for vaccines.
Earlier, taking stock of the preparedness of the massive vaccination drive through a video conference with DCs, SPs, Joint Directors of Health and other stakeholders, the Chief Minister also asked the guardian ministers and their secretaries to oversee vaccination process in their respective districts. He also asked the Mission Director of NHM Dr Lakshmanan S to ensure adequate supply of vaccination doses to far-flung districts.
Talking to the media here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said, "From June 21-30, 2021, we have the daily target of inoculating three lakh people. This drive has no age bar for all 18+ people. Both Covaxin and Covishield will be inoculated in this drive. This target has been set by the Centre, and if we can't achieve this, the Centre will cut our daily quota of vaccines.
"To cover every person aged over 18 years, we've set up 2,000 vaccination centres in the State. In rural areas, the vaccination drive will continue from 8 am to 9 pm, and in urban areas also it will be from 8 am to 9 pm, but with an hour break.
"Vaccination centres have been set up in all hospitals in tea gardens. In rural areas, the vaccination centres have been set up in naamghars, schools and other suitable places. Even if 2.60 lakh people can be inoculated daily, that will be considered a success. However, our target is three lakh vaccinations daily.
"Those who have booked their slots online should go to the vaccination centres as scheduled. Those who haven't should go for on-the-spot registration. We've trained some people for on-the-spot registration of the vaccines slots. They will be there to help out people."
The Chief Minister also appealed to all government employees to get vaccinated as all government offices will function normally from July 1, 2021. "We also appeal to all private organizations to vaccinate their employees," he said.
He further said that the cost of this vaccination drive is to be borne by the Centre. "If the private hospitals want to vaccinate people, we can give them vaccines. However, in that case, they can't charge a single penny from people, not even the registration charge. Since the vaccines are provided by the Centre, the State government can give the service without making the public spend a single penny," he said.