Srinagar, Jan 11 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir is set to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday with officials saying that the first dose will be given to health care workers.
“On Tuesday, we will get our 1st batch of Covid-19 vaccine and vaccination will be started on 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 were expecting 2.5 lakh vaccines today, however, due to some issues, vaccines didn't reach but will be available by tomorrow.
Qazi said that more vaccines would arrive in coming weeks.
"Vaccines will reach by air in cold storage chains," he said.
Pertinently, the first phase of the vaccination drive will cover 30 crore people in India.
India has authorised two Covid-19 vaccines - indigenous Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and the Oxford-Astra Zeneca & Serum Institute of India vaccine Covishield for emergency use.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting (virtual mode) with all Chief Ministers of all states besides Governors of Union Territories on Monday said that India is in a decisive stage and from January 16, the world's largest vaccination drive would start in India.
He said that two vaccines got emergency use approval and four more vaccines are in the process.
"We will have more vaccines in the second phase hopefully," he said.
Health workers, sanitation workers, police, paramilitary, civil defence who are around 3 crore in total will get a vaccination in the first phase. The decision was taken after deliberation with states. The vaccination would be free of cost—(KNO)