Amid rising cases of COVID-19, the J&K government on Saturday rolled out free vaccination drive for all those above 18 years of age in the Union Territory (UT).
The free vaccines have been rolled at a time when the deaths due to the coronavirus are increasing in the UT. In the last 24 hours, 35 people died of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy commissioner Srinagar Ajaz Assad inaugurated the drive at SHMS hospital.
Talking to reporters, he said 10 centres have been designated by the district administration for administering vaccines to people. The centres include sub centre, Natipora; UPHC Nishat; SMHS hospital; SKIMS Soura;G B Pant hospital; Boys Secondary School NIT; Miranda School, Chinkral Mohalla; community hall; health centre, Miskeen Bagh and government higher secondary school, Batamaloo.
“The number of designated centres will be increased soon,” he said, and added that to get vaccinated, people need to register on the CoWin portal. He said unregistered persons will not be vaccinated.
About the shortage of vaccines, he said that there was no shortage and more people are coming forward to get vaccinated in Srinagar than other districts. “The Covishield vaccine has arrived in ample quantities and there is no shortage,” he said.
Quoting health experts, he said that vaccines are the magic bullet as it is the ultimate protection against the virus. “There is a need to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) in letter and spirit,’’ he said.
