Srinagar, Mar 20 (KNO): Amid rise in COVID-19 cases, several religious scholars of the valley administrated first dose of vaccine’ during COVID inoculation drive, organized by the divisional administration at valley’s lone tertiary care hospital, SKIMS Soura here Saturday.
Around a dozen clerics and Islamic scholars from different parts of the valley were put under observation after administering first jab of COVID-19 vaccine.
The drive, an official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) was organized with an aim to encourage people for vaccination. Imaam's and Khateeb’s from different Wakf Board affiliated shrines and mosques were administered jab.
Those who were administered first dose of COVID vaccine, termed rumors that the vaccine is ‘ineffective’ or have negative side-effects as baseless and appealed people to come forward in large number to get them vaccinated so as to keep the deadly pandemic at bay.
The COVID vaccination drive for religious scholars was held on the directions of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole at SKIMS Soura.
They also urged people to follow COVID-19 SOPs including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing in letter and spirit to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Among others, Director SKIMS, Dr AG Ahangar was also present on the occasion who claimed that uphill efforts of the frontline workers controlled the deadly virus from spreading further in the valley, at a time; pandemic has taken an ugly shape in other parts of the world.
He said the drive would send positive message to defend against baseless rumors associated with the vaccine—(KNO)