Will Expedite COVID-19 Vaccination from June 21: Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta

Fasten COVID-19 Vaccination Drive in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said on Wednesday that the Health department would further expedite the vaccination drive from June 21 and given the present COVID-19 situation, it is likely that some relaxations could be announced post-June 16. Speaking to The Sentinel, Health Minister Mahanta said, "We will expedite the Covid vaccination drive from June 21. We want to cover the maximum number of people by August 15, 2021".

The Minister said that 50,000 doses of Covaxin reached Guwahati yesterday. Another one lakh doses are expected to reach in the next 3-4 days. This would safely cover all those people who are waiting for their second dose of Covaxin. There are 1.50 lakh people who were given Covaxin as their first dose. [Also Read: What Before & After Taking COVID-19 Vaccine]

The government had recently stopped giving Covaxin as the first dose due to the paucity of stocks.

Referring to the reduction in COVID-19 positivity rate, the Minister said that it was below 3% on Tuesday, and this has been possible because of the large number of tests being done, vaccination drive and support from the people. Another reason is that the Health Department has increased institutional quarantine compared to home quarantine.

Regarding the new COVID SOP, Minister Mahanta said that going by the situation today, by June 15 the situation is expected to get a little better, the government might be in a position to announce slight relaxations post-June 16 when the ongoing restrictions end.

The Minister requested people to continue with the COVID-19-appropriate behaviour. Regarding the third wave of COVID-19 which many are predicting, the Minister said, "We are prepared to handle any situation".

He also said that work is on the installation of the paediatric ICUs in the seven medical colleges and hospitals, besides the district hospitals in the State.

Also Read: Assam Government Targeting Three Lakh Vaccinations Daily: Health Minister Keshab Mahanta