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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 13 (EMN): A total of 54,000 doses of Covishield, a coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India, Pune, has arrived at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport near Imphal today to start the vaccination programme in the state from January 16.
The vaccines were received by the state chief minister N Biren Singh along with Education minister S Rajen, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution minister Th Satyabarta, advisor to chief minister (Health) Dr. S Ranjan, chief secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, additional chief secretary P Vaiphei and director of Health Services Dr. K Rajo at the airport.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Biren informed that the first batch of vaccination to healthcare workers would start on January 16 onwards as scheduled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A total of 8,476 healthcare workers would be vaccinated at 10 places including Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), district hospitals of Churachandpur, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Tamenglong and Shija Hospital and Research Institute, a private healthcare institute on the same day, he added.
Biren has acknowledged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan for their tireless efforts in timely distribution of the vaccine all over the country. He further stated that the vaccines would be distributed to all the district headquarters.
He informed that a total of 39,991 healthcare workers would be vaccinated in the first phase at 246 vaccination centres including 138 government centres and 108 private centres.
He further appealed to the public to still strictly comply with standard operating procedures (SOP), avoid unnecessary gatherings and take permission from concerned authorities before organising any social gathering.
In a tweet on Wednesday, chief minister Biren said, “This day marks a new dawn as we received the first consignment of 54,000 doses Covishield vaccine from SII, Pune. I join the nation in thanking Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramopdi and our brilliant scientists for delivering the Covid vaccine in record time. Vaccination starts on 16 Jan.”