GUWAHATI: The first day of the
third phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive for citizens aged 60 years and above, and those between 45 and 59 years with co-morbidities, witnessed an overwhelming response in government medical colleges of Assam.
State health minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma was among those to receive the jab at
Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH). Apart from seven medical colleges, the drive started in six
private hospitals in Guwahati. “As people above 45 years with co-morbidities are eligible in phase 2, I took my first dose of #COVID19Vaccine at GMCH today. All those under this category are advised to take their doses,” Himanta tweeted, adding that across Assam, hospitals have geared up for speedy vaccination rollout.
The drive was also launched at several district hospitals, health sources said. In many of the session sites, more than the scheduled number of beneficiaries arrived to get inoculated by registering through offline mode. Health department officials said though the
Co-WIN portal is functioning smoothly in the state, many availed the policy of walking in for manual registration.
“Around 763 beneficiaries aged 60 years and above, and 224 beneficiaries between 45 to 59 years of age with co-morbidities received the first dose of the vaccine today, across the entire state, till 6 pm,” a health department release stated.
The state health department said no cases of adverse effects following immunization was reported till 6 pm on Monday. Highest 171 beneficiaries aged 60+ years were inoculated in Kamrup (Metro), followed by 123 in
Dibrugarh and 103 in Hojai district.
“About 180 sessions have been conducted today across the state, till 6 pm,” it added.
“While the government enlisted 20 noted personalities for the jab, over 60 people walked in to get vaccinated by manual registration on site at GMCH here. That’s very encouraging,” said OSD to NHM, Assam, Pomi Baruah.