Rio launches Covid-19 vaccination drive in Nagaland; says everyone will get the dose

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 16 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched Covid-19 vaccination drive in the state at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on January 16, joining the rest of the country in what has been dubbed as world’s biggest inoculation programme”.

Speaking at the programme, Rio said it was a ‘privilege to have the first phase of Covid vaccine given to healthcare workers, who rightly deserve to receive the vaccines first’.

The state’s Health department had earlier informed that healthcare workers will get the jabs in the first phase; to be followed by frontline workers in the second, and above 50 years and below 50 years (and above 18 years) with co-morbid conditions in third phase. 

Urging the people to come forward and take the vaccine, the CM said that opportunity would ‘come to everyone’.

“Therefore, do not feel panicky or deprived but register oneself with authorities concerned so that when time comes, everyone will get the dose,” he said. With the roll out of the vaccine in the state, he expressed hope that it would work “wonderfully” and build a healthy society.

He extended his acknowledgment to scientists and those involved in the making of Covid-19 vaccines. Further, he expressed hope that the world would remain healthy and overcome the pandemic with the newly-launched vaccine and with ‘tremendous improvement’ in medical sciences.       

Covishield, which has been sent to Nagaland, was approved along with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin by the Drug Controller General of India for restricted emergency use. The vaccine has 70% efficiency during the clinical trial and has indicated sufficient antibodies against Covid-19.

Citing research study by scientists, Rio said the Covishield, developed by the Oxford University and AstraZeneca and manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India, will be effective against the new strain of virus.