Manipur COVID-19 vaccination drive successfully
Imphal, 16th Jan: Manipur chief minister N.Biren Singh officially launched the historic programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) auditorium in presence of Dr Sapam Rajen, advisor to CM of health, chief secretary Rajesh Kumar, JNIMS officials, healthcare workers and medical students.
The launching event was jointly organised by the Directorate Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with JNIMS and National Health Mission (NHM).
A total of 1,000 beneficiaries, mostly healthcare workers, have received the first dose of vaccination by JNIMS hospital attendants at ten identified sites in the State, including one private hospital in Imphal.
During the vaccination programme, N.Romesh Singh of Khurai Thoudam Leikai was the first person who received the dose of Covishield at JNIMS. He said I don’t feel any discomfort nor I have any sickness and I am happy receiving the vaccination dose for COVID-19.
Speaking with the media persons on the sidelines of the event, CM Biren Singh said that vaccination was launched by PM Modi after which the state government started the vaccination to the medical staff.
Lauding the PM Modi and scientists for timely taking action and initiative, CM further said that the vaccine is made in India and we all should be proud of it and support the drive. Through this vaccination, we can be safe from this deadly virus, he added.
According to additional chief secretary Paulunthang Vaiphei, despite the health and family welfare having identified ten sites for vaccination in the State, the government is prepared to expand it upto 246 sites across the state.
Also he said that the state has already installed two working coolers to store vaccines, 12 vaccine vans with provisions to outsource additional vaccine vans if required and established 126 cogent points.
Few hiccups during the dry runs that have been identified have been resolved to a great extent. And we are confident that the department will carry forward this largest vaccine drive.
As per the official, the healthcare workers will be given the top priority for vaccination as they are directly exposed to the virus. The second priorities will be the frontline workers of COVID-19, followed by people with above 50 years old and less than 50 years with co-morbidity.
People who have vaccinated or received the first dose will receive the second dose of Covishield after 28 days of vaccination, said the official. Covishied is developed by Oxford University in association with AstraZeneca vaccine and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune.
