Nagaland launches Covishield vaccine for 18-44 years

Morung Express News
Kohima | May 17

The much awaited Covishield vaccine for 18-44 years was launched by Minister for Health & Family Welfare, S Pangyu Phom at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare on May 17. 

The state has received 36,580 doses of Covishield vaccine on May 13.

Speaking at the brief programme, Phom said the state has received the vaccine on payment as allocated by the MoHFW.
 
“We have placed more orders but the state does not have any control on the supply or the production of vaccines,” he stated. 

Phom said COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVC) for 18 to 44 year age group has been placed strategically as per risk assessment with focus on the urban areas, and that all the districts have been allocated the vaccines as per population and risk of infection.

Meanwhile, he also informed that booking for next week will be announced soon and all beneficiaries have to be compulsorily registered in COWIN portal.

While observing that there is very good demand of vaccine in all session sites as indicated by the online booking at COWIN, the Minister reminded that COVID-19 is no longer a disease of the elderly or just people with diseases, but that more and more younger people are also falling to COVID-19 for which, he said, “vaccine is one of the best tools we have.”

To this end, he appealed to all beneficiaries to wait for their turn and get the vaccine following strict COVID-19 appropriate behaviours like mask wearing, handwashing and physical distancing. 

He also urged the other groups like 45 years and above and those with diseases like diabetes, hypertension etc to vaccinate at the earliest following strict safety measures.

2.39 lakhs doses of vaccine administered
121 days since the launch of the first vaccine, he informed that 2,39,564 lakh doses have been administered across the state. 

With the increase in the demand of vaccine in the state, Dr Thurr said, “it is a good sign that people are now eager to take the vaccine.” He also informed that the state has proposed for an order of 4 lakh vaccine against which 36,580 does have been received. 

However, with the high demand for vaccine in the country, he maintained that the state has to wait for its slot to avail the vaccine. 

When enquired, Deputy Director (UIP), Dr Razoukhrielie Rio said a rough figure of seven lakhs have been projected for vaccination under 18-44 years as per 2011 Census. 
He informed that the state government has purchased the vaccine at cost of Rs. 300 per amounting to one crore fifteen lakhs.