Himanta Biswa Receives 1st Dose of COVID Vaccine at Gauhati Medical College

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on March 1.

Taking to his Twitter handle the state minister wrote, "As people above 45 years with co-morbidities are eligible in phase 2, I took my first dose of #COVID19Vaccine at GMCH today. All those under this category are advised to take their doses. Across Assam, our hospitals are geared up for for speedy roll out of vaccination."

In Assam the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on March 1, the first phase was launched across the country from January 16 onwards.

The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive has started at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday along with the rest of the nation.

Following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), a total of 30 persons vaccinated on the first day.

The vaccination program is now expanded to all citizens above 60 years of age.

Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Superintendent Dr Abhijit Sarma stated, "Almost 3,400 persons vaccinated in 1st and 2nd phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive. This is the next phase we have started, today 30 persons vaccinated on the 1st day. The vaccination process will continue on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. The vaccines will not provide to any person with a complex health condition."

Earlier on March 1, PM Modi also received the first dose of COVID vaccine at the 'All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Monday, leading the country in the third phase of the inoculation drive as a massive chunk of the population aged above 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities prepare to take the shots.

Modi was administered Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. "Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS," he informed on Twitter.

Vaccination will be provided free of charge at the government health facilities; and will be on a payment basis in the private health facilities. All private hospitals can charge Rs 150 for vaccines and Rs 100 for service charges fixed by the Central government.

Around 10,000 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY' and 687 hospitals under CGHS can be used by the States as COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

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