Assam gets 1 lakh more vaccination doses, but not enough to start statewide drive

GUWAHATI: Assam has received 1 lakh more Covishield doses, taking the total vaccine availability in the state to 3.25 lakh doses, ahead of the inoculation drive for the 18-44 age group set to begin at 26 Covid vaccination centres in greater Guwahati from Friday.
However, lack of adequate vaccine doses has compelled the state health department to limit the drive for the young beneficiaries to the state capital, despite health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assuring that the inoculation drive for the 18+ citizens will begin in “full swing” from Friday.
“Pleased to share that we have received 1 lakh more doses of #Covishield from @SerumInstIndia for people above 45 years. Our total vaccines availability stands at 3,25,470,” Himanta tweeted, as he urged everyone to go for testing amid the second wave that is sweeping Assam.
Health officials said in every district headquarters a minimum of 10, in the civil sub-divisions five, and in small towns, one or two Covid Vaccination Centres are targeted to be opened to vaccinate the 18-44 age group in the state. But, considering the shortage of vaccines, the districts have not been able to open the vaccination centres as planned.
“Even with the limited vaccines, we are going ahead to start the vaccination for 18+ in the districts from this week, though not tomorrow,” immunization spokesperson and director of health services (family welfare), Munindra Nath Ngatey, told on Thursday.
At each centre, he said, the target is to inoculate 150 people per day. The major concern, however, is that if the drive for 18+ continues as per the plan, the available 1.5 lakh doses for 18+ will get over in just three days. “There is an overwhelming response from youths. Booking is full in all CVCs in greater Guwahati for tomorrow,” Ngatey said, adding, the target in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district is to expand the number of CVCs to 50.
Despite the positive response to the vaccination drive, many beneficiaries in the 45+ category are returning dejected from vaccination centres in different parts of the state.