COVID-19 Vaccination Drive to Start Today

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Jan 15: The long-awaited COVID-19 vaccination drive is beginning in the State on Saturday, along with rest of the country.

The first stage of the phase-I vaccination drive is to cover 1.90 lakh COVID-19 warriors who have to be physically in touch with COVID patients. Coming next are around one lakh front-line forces like police and paramilitary personnel. A population of around 90 lakh is to be vaccinated in the State. The stage 1 of the drive is to take around a month.

Giving details of COVID-19 vaccines, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "A person will be immunized 45 days after the date of taking the first doze. The second doze will be given 28 days after the first one. After taking the second doze, it takes 14 days for a person to be immunized.

"A person may experience some adverse impacts like headache, fatigue, weakness, arthralgia and nausea during vaccination. That's natural. The person concerned may consult the nearest doctor for such cases. We're going to make all arrangements for that. However, I appeal to all to stay away from rumour mongering as that may play spoilsport.

"Two different types of vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – are going to be administered during this drive. For taking Covaxin one has to give written consent, but for Covishield verbal consent will do. We aren't going to vaccinate anyone forcibly. Pregnant women shouldn't opt for vaccination.

"We've a stock of 2.21 lakh dosages of vaccines against the need of 3.81 lakh dosages. All people above 50 years of age have to be covered in the phase 3 of the drive. In cases of people with comorbidities those below 50 years of age may also be vaccinated.

"The vaccination in the phase 1 of the drive will be free of cost. For phase 3, we'll have to wait for the Government of India's directive. However, we've funds. If the Centre allows, we can subsidize the cost.

"For Phase 1 of the drive, we've 65 vaccination sites, including medical colleges and district hospitals. Each of such vaccination sites will vaccinate 100 persons per day. As many as 8,651 nurses and 1,300 doctors have been trained for the vaccination drive.

"The likes of Dr. Umesh Chandra Sarma, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora, Dr, Ilius Ali and nine others are among the first ones to be vaccinated at the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College and Hospital) on Saturday.

"After December 31, 2020, the daily COVID positive cases in the State are below 50. After allowing normal life without any lockdown, such figures suggest that the situation is well under control. However, COVID positive cases may go up after international flight services are allowed."

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