Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is facing heavy flak for his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic during the second wave, on Saturday announced that a statewide vaccination drive beginning Monday. The drive will go on till the end of August.
As part of this special drive, vaccinations will be increased in general. Final-year degree students, postgrads, lower primary and upper primary teachers will also be part of this.
Vijayan made this announcement after the state’s Covid-19 review meeting.
In addition to the vaccines available to the state government, more vaccines need to be made available to the private sector. As part of this, the state government will buy 20 lakh doses of vaccines and provide them to private hospitals at the same rate, he said.
The distribution will be based on the number of vaccines that can be given through each private hospital. Commercial institutions and public organizations can arrange vaccines from the stock purchased for private hospitals after due process.
“The local self-government institutions can arrange facilities for this. The goal is to vaccinate as many as possible at the earliest," said Vijayan.
The state aims to complete the first dose for senior citizens by August 15. Those above 60 and those who are bedridden will be vaccinated at home.
The chief minister has directed the officers to ensure that all the employees required to be present in government offices as per the order are present. He has also directed officers to ensure the other employees are performing work from home duty including Covid duties.
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