15-17-year-olds' vaccination drive yet to pick up pace

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The drive to vaccinate the 15-17-year-old teens is yet to pick up pace as locating the out-of-school teens is not an easy task. Staff shortage is also a factor in this regard.

The projected vaccination target of this age group set by the Government of India for Assam is 20 lakh. Approximately 10 lakh teens of this age group got the first dose, and 3.40 lakh got the second dose, till Friday.

According to sources, the vaccination of the first dose to school-going teens is almost over. They are receiving the second dose now. The problem is with the out-of-school teens. Many of them are in other districts for jobs. Locating them is a problem. "We are lagging on this front. We have achieved around 50 per cent to inoculate the first dose. We are trying our best to locate the out-of-school youths to inoculate them," a source said.

The source further said, "Since several health schemes have been underway in the state, Anganwadi workers, nurses, health workers and others are busy in them. It also hampers the vaccination drive at times."

According to official sources, 2.32 crores received the first dose, 1.88 crores got the second dose, and 2.20 lakh got the third dose in the state.

So far, the medical fraternity has conducted a 2.81 crore Covid-19 test in the state cumulatively. Of them, 7.22 lakh have tested positive. The total Covid-19 toll in the state is 6,596 till Friday.

Also read;  Around 8.21 lakh teens vaccinated so far in Assam

Also Watch: