J&K: Vaccination of people in 18-45 age group begins today

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Saturday began the inoculation drive for the people in the age group of 18-44. The administration received a fresh lot of 1,50,000 vaccines out of 1,50,00,000 already ordered by the administration, a senior official said.
According to the official, though the union territory had exhausted the vaccines, it had earlier decided to start the inoculation of people between 18-44 age group in first three days of next week. “But the UT received at least 1,50,000 Covishield and Covaxin shots on Saturday only and therefore, it resumed the inoculation of the residents belonging to the age-group of 18 to 44 years and above who had not so far taken any jab,” a senior UT official disclosed.
The authorities will undertake the exercise in full swing from Monday at the sites identified in rural areas and the vaccination will be done as per the CoWin registration, the official added.
The J&K government, in a tweet said that Jammu & Kashmir is going to rollout Covid-19 vaccine for 18-45 age group from today in a phased manner.
"Covaxin will be administered to this age group free of cost. It will be by prior registration and prior appointment only. Please do not crowd the vaccination centres without appointment," the tweet said.
A top health officer said that Covaxin is being launched in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu for 18 years and above, who have pre-registered shall get their first Covaxin jab.
He said that the inaugural vaccine will be administered at Immunization Clinic near SMHS Hospital Srinagar today at 4:00 pm.
"Those who have taken Covishield as first dose must take 2nd dose of Covishield only,” he added.
Thirty-five fresh Covid-19 related deaths were reported in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir since last night, thus taking total number of Coronavirus deaths to 2,318 including 908 from Jammu division and 1,410 from Kashmir division till Saturday noon.