Srinagar, Jan 13 (KNO): The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine reached Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon with officials saying that the first dose will be given to health care workers.
“On Wednesday, we received our 1st batch of Covid-19 vaccine. Vaccination will start from 16 January across the country for which department has already done groundwork and mock drills,” officials said.
State Immunisation Officer, Dr Qazi Haroon told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they received Ist batch of vaccines in Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon and accordingly were forwarded to different areas so that the vaccination drive will start along with other states on 16 January.
Qazi said that they have arranged choppers to take vaccines to far off places in J&K like in Gurez, Tanghdar Karnah and by Friday they will all be ready to start the vaccination process along with the entire country on Saturday.
Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Sameer Matoo said that 79,000 Covishield vaccines were received under Ist consignment on Wednesday.
"We have around 60,000 health workers in Kashmir division. Our first priority is our health care workers along with municipal workers and revenue officials," he said.
"People of age over 50 years and people having co- morbidities like diabetes and other issues will get vaccines in the next phases at our Covid designated centres," Matoo said.
The first phase of the vaccination drive would cover 30 crore people in India.
India has authorised two Covid-19 vaccines - indigenous Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and the Oxford-AstraZeneca & Serum Institute of India vaccine Covishield for emergency use—(KNO)