Assam Starts COVID Vaccination 3rd Phase: 796 Beneficiaries Receive First shot

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

3rd Phase of COVID-19 Vaccination in Assam: on Monday started the third-phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive for citizens in the age group of 60 and above. Those between 45 to 59 years of age having any specified comorbidities are also eligible to be inoculated with the vaccine.

Around 607 beneficiaries aged 60 years and above, and 189 beneficiaries between 45 to 59 years of age with comorbidities have received the first dose of the vaccine across the State on Monday. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also received the first shot of the covid vaccine at the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).

About 100 beneficiaries aged 60 years and above, consisting of 56 males and 44 females, and 73 beneficiaries between 45 to 59 years of age with comorbidities, consisting of 30 males and 43 females, received the first dose at GMCH.

Two covid-19 vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – are being provided in Assam. These vaccines are administered in the injectable form to the beneficiaries. However, the Covaxin vaccine is being administered only in Sonitpur and Barpeta districts. Both the vaccines will be provided free of charge at the government health facilities. However, in the third phase, it will also be available on payment basis at the identified private health facilities empanelled under AB-PMJAY, Atal Amrit Abhiyan and CGHS.

The maximum charges per vaccine will be Rs 250 which is inclusive of Rs 150 as vaccine cost and up to Rs 100 as service charge per person in the private hospitals.

The eligible covid-19 beneficiaries can register themselves for the vaccine on the COWIN portal, and also through other applications such as the 'Arogya Setu'. Provisions have also been made for on-site registration of eligible beneficiaries. Covid beneficiaries can also get themselves registered directly at the identified sites providing the vaccines.

On the day of the vaccination, beneficiaries will have to carry any one of the following ID proofs for verification – Aadhaar card, Electoral photo ID, Driving License, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID card, Employment card.

Among the prominent senior citizens who received the first shot of the vaccine on Monday are former Chief Secretaries Alok Kumar and V.K. Pipersenia, noted musician Bhupen Uzir, and former VC of Assam University Dr Tapadhir Bhattacharya.

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