GUWAHATI: The LGBI airport here will be the
nodal point for the distribution of the novel coronavirus vaccine to the entire northeast region, sources at the
Airports Authority of India (AAI) said on Monday. The cargo wing of AAI will receive the first consignment from Pune.
An official at AAI said it may take a couple of days for the consignment to reach Guwahati, which has a capacity to stock around 80 metric tons of
vaccine doses. “The tentative date for the arrival has not been confirmed,” he said, adding that various locations in the northeast and pick-up points at the airport have been identified for the transportation of the doses via road or air.
Prime minister Narendra Modi during a video conference with chief ministers and administrators of all states and Union territories on Monday underlined the significance of following Covid-related protocols throughout the drive. He added that those who are receiving the vaccine should continue to follow these precautions. The PM also added that states and UTs will have to put in place mechanisms to keep rumours related to the vaccination in check.
“Plug points have been readied at the airport to keep the vaccine vans operational during shifting. The cold chain has to be maintained at any cost. Four cold storages have been readied at the airport in case of delay in the arrival of procurement vehicles from distant places,” said the AAI official.
Talking to TOI, National Health Mission Assam director Lakshmanan S said both
Gauhati Medical College Hospital and Nagaon Civil Hospital (NCH), as also 72 other vaccination sites are ready to carry out the first phase of vaccination drive. “We are preparing for each of the 74 centres to have beneficiaries on time. In case of referral, we will be ready to refer them to the best healthcare institutions available nearby,” Lakshmanan said.