Manipur Chief Minister N Biren on Friday launched 'COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava' in the state under which free vaccination of Covid precautionary dose will be provided to all 18 years and above for 75 days, with effect from July 15 to September 30.
The COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava launching programme was organised by the National Health Mission, Manipur Directorate of Health Services and Family Welfare, at the CM Secretariat in Imphal on Friday. State ministers S Ranjan Singh and L Sushindro Meitei were also present at the launch of the programme.
"Launched the "Covid Vaccine Amrit Mahotsav" along with Hon'ble Ministers Shri S Ranjan Singh and Hon’ble Minister Shri L Sushindro Meitei today. Now, the Govt will provide free vaccination of precaution dose of covid vaccine to the 18 years & above for 75 days, starting today," Biren tweeted soon after the launch of the programme.
Addressing the function, Biren said the state's target for booster or precaution dose vaccination for the age group of 18 to 59 years is 10,18,619.
As per the latest state official update, the total number of people who have been administered precautionary dose in the state has reached 1,24,450 as of Friday, while 29,96,068 total people have been administered the vaccine. Of the total beneficiaries, 16,01,439 people have recieved the first dose, while 12,70,179,765 people have recieved the second dose as of Friday.
Pointing out that most of the people in the state are still reluctant and that Manipur is lagging behind the total vaccination target of 23,41,000, Biren called upon the people in the state to come forward for vaccination without fail to achieve the target.
Emphasising that vaccination is one of the best solutions to break the chain of further spreading of COVID-19, Biren said everyone should avail this vaccination programme. Contribution of each and every eligible person is needed to combat this pandemic, he added.
The chief minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming the free COVID vaccine programme as “gift to people of the nation”.
“We are immensely thankful to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for this gift to people of the nation on this 75th year of India's independence, which is being observed as #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav,” Biren said in another Twitter post.
Biren also appealed to people of the state to strictly maintain COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and stop believing in myth and superstition that can hinder the vaccination.
Where can you get free Covid vaccine for 18-59 years of age?
According to the government, persons who are 18-59 years of age can now get their precaution COVID-19 vaccine free of cost at any government centre.
"Vaccination service will be opened in all government hospitals. Any eligible person can access it from their nearest centre within the set timeframe of July 15 to September 30." Biren said.
Being implemented in a ‘Mission Mode’, this special COVID vaccination drive is a part of the celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry stated in a release. It stated that the special drive is aimed to increase uptake for the Precaution Dose of COVID Vaccine among the eligible adult population.
It further stated that in a virtual meeting with state/UT Health secretaries and NHM MDs chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday, states and UTs have been urged to give an intensive and ambitious push towards full COVID19 vaccination coverage by vaccinating all eligible beneficiaries and covering them with precaution dose.
During the meeting, states were advised to organise special vaccination camps in the routes of Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand),Amarnath Yatra (Jammu &Kashmir), Kanwar Yatra (all States/UTs of North-India) as well as major melas and congregations.
The Union Health secretary also advised states/UTs to operationalise special workplace vaccination camps at big office complexes(public & private), industrial establishments, railway stations, inter-state bus stations, in schools and colleges, etc. In all such special vaccination camps, vaccination is to be done mandatorily through CoWIN and vaccination certificate to be provided.
Ambitious District/Block/CVC-wise session plans need to be made for successful implementationof the initiative and to ensure that all eligible population is covered by Precaution Dose.
States/UTs were also advised to do wide advance publicity of this initiative in print, electronic, social and mass media. State Health secretaries have been urged to undertake regular weekly review of progress at the state level.
States/UTs were advised to ensure that the available COVID vaccine doses are consumed in a timely manner and no dose expires in both government and private facilities.
Highlighting that COVID vaccine is a precious national resource, states were requested to assess the requirement for the 75-day special drive as per the eligible population groups and inform to the Centre. This would enable the Health Ministry to provide adequate doses to the states/UTs that need them. The principle of First Expiry, First Out shall continue to guide the COVID vaccination, the ministry stated in a release.
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