GUWAHATI: Almost 9,000 people received Covid-19 vaccines in
Assam on Thursday, the highest in a day so far, the
state health department said.
This was almost a three-fold increase in the number of vaccinations in a day since January 16, when the drive started in the state. To date, about 2,000-3,500, health workers were receiving shots each day. The state health department in a statement said about 8,973 beneficiaries received jabs till 6 pm on Thursday through 174 sessions. As on Thursday (7 pm), the cumulative number of
healthcare workers vaccinated against Covid-19 has surpassed 28 lakh (28,47,608) through 52,667 sessions across the country, the provisional report has stated.
“The cumulative total number of vaccinated healthcare workers across Assam now stands at 28,918, with no case of serious or severe Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reported. The eighth day of the countrywide Covid-19 vaccination programme conducted successfully in Assam,” said a health department spokesperson.
Of the 174 session sites on Thursday, 155 administered Covishield to 8,299 beneficiaries, while 19 administered
Covaxin to 674 beneficiaries. “Only seven
minor cases of AEFI have been reported today, with six minor AEFI cases from Dhemaji district, and one minor AEFI case from Golaghat district,” the official added.
Many health officials are now getting ready to receive the second dose, which is going to be administered mid-February onwards. Despite some cases of AEFI creating hesitance among a section of health officials who skipped vaccination, Dr Shyamanta Madhab Sharma, joint director of health services,
Sivasagar, said, “As a preventive measure against Covid-19, the government is providing us with the Covid vaccine. It has been 12 days since I was administered the first dose on January 16, and I have not faced any difficulties. The vaccine is safe and I would like to appeal to all frontline workers to get themselves vaccinated without any hesitation.” Sharma received the first shots of Covishield on the first day of the drive.
“Our healthcare workers toiled day and night at the height of the pandemic to keep us safe. We have got a wonderful opportunity to stay protected with the vaccine and I would appeal to all to come forward and get vaccinated,” said Hitesh Das from Gaurisagar BPHC, Sivasagar, who received the first dose of Covishield on Thursday.