92 per cent COVID frontline warriors covered under vaccination programme in Srinagar
Srinagar/IBNS: Among the COVID frontline health warriors in Srinagar, 92 per cent have been covered under the COVID vaccination programme.
Vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus disease began in Jammu and Kashmir on January 16, this year, with two inaugural ceremonies in Jammu city and Srinagar respectively.
Phase-II of the scheme began on 25 May for the 18-45 age category in J & K.
“Health care workers and frontline COVID19 warriors were covered under Phase-I of vaccination in J&K. Therefore, we have, so far, a satisfactory percentage of people vaccinated under this category,” said Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson Directorate of Health Kashmir.
He further informed that in Srinagar, forty-three per cent of people falling under the age group of above 45 years have also received vaccinations shots.
Speaking about the Phase-II of vaccination drive wherein people falling under the age group of 18 to 45 are eligible for vaccination, he said eight per cent of the population under this category has been covered.
“The fact remains that Phase-II was recently launched and people have to book appointments for vaccination online. That is why the figure seems low. But please remember that this is the data of the last few days since Phase-II commenced recently,” Dr Mir Mushtaq said while replying to a query.
He added that the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir is not only establishing special centres for vaccination purposes but is at the same time encouraging people to book an appointment for vaccination.
The drive of vaccination in the entire country focused on the vaccination of “priority groups” at the initial stage.
“In the next few weeks, we shall have covered all the eligible population under the process,” he said.
Dr Mir Mushtaq termed the vaccine as "safe" and requested the eligible people to get themselves vaccinated without any "doubt".
He said, “Some rumour mongers and mischievous elements had tried to spread wrong information about vaccination.”
“But we must appreciate the wit and wisdom of people who voluntarily came forward, got vaccinated and proved the rumours wrong,” he added.
“Experts, doctors and other relevant people have been the first recipients of vaccine instil a sense of safety and faith in the effectiveness of the vaccine among common masses," he stated.
Underscoring the significance of this immunization programme to comprehensively combat the corona pandemic, he said that vaccination drive in full swing.
The DHSK spokesperson appealed to the people to follow COVID19 safety guidelines and make a collective effort in defeating coronavirus.
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