PANJIM: The State Health Department has continued its focus on smooth immunisation drive for those aged 45 and above.
With over two lakh people across the State due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine as on date, and with 1.73 lakh doses available for administration, the department ruled out any shortage of the vaccine.
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As per the information shared by the State Immunisation Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar, the State received one lakh doses of Covishield from the Central government, last week, thus the total availability of dose with State as on date is 1.73 lakh.
Of the total 3,49,941 doses administered, around 2,75,568 people have received their first dose, while 74,373 beneficiaries have been inoculated with the second dose. As such, 2,01,195 are yet to get their second dose.
Speaking to Herald, Borkar stated that as of date, the State is not facing any shortage of vaccine for those aged 45 and above. “The Central government has been releasing vaccine doses at regular intervals,” he said.
“Those between the age group of 18-45, will have to wait for their turn, due to pending release of Covishield by Serum Institute of India. The government machinery is fully prepared to vaccinate this age group,” Borkar added.
The State received over 4.3 lakh doses of vaccination for the three phases of immunisation drive from the Central government. The two vaccines, Covishield by SII and Covaxin by the Bharat Biotech, which are being used for the National Covid-19 immunization programme, have been sold to the Central government for Rs 150 per dose.
The third phase kicked-off from May 1. However, because of the absence of doses, the State was unable to launch it for age group of 18-45.
Earlier this month, the State government had placed order for 5 lakh vaccine doses with the Serum Institute of India (SII), who communicated to the State, that the same cannot be fulfilled at this moment due to their prior pending commitments.
Borkar explained that the Centre has liberalised this third phase of vaccination for procurement and implementation thereby giving the liberty to the States.
“We are waiting for the communication from SII. As soon as the vaccine doses are released, we will start inoculating those in the age of 18-45,” he said.
Similarly, single vaccine doses of Covaxin are sold to private hospitals at Rs 1,200 while Covishield is pegged at Rs 600 per dose.
Meanwhile, Manipal Hospital, Dona Paula is the only private hospital in the State where vaccination for those between the ages of 18-45 began from Monday.
“Today, we have administered first dose of Covaxin to 150 people. The drive is undertaken with only prior appointments,” Dr Shekhar Salkar informed.
