Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (ANK/HB)
Mangaluru/Udupi, Jan 16: The first phase of Covid vaccination began in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district on Saturday January 16.
“Even though Covid vaccination first phase has started, people should not forget to follow the protocols such as maintaining social distance, wearing masks and take preventive measures,” said district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
He was speaking after inaugurating the first phase of Covid vaccination drive here on Saturday January 16.
Mangaluru
Udupi
He said, “I thank the Covid warriors who stood firm during the time of the pandemic. Among 73 hospitals in the district, patients at 87% of them have availed treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme.”
Minister S Angara said, “No need to get confused regarding Covid vaccine, as there will be no side effects from it. False rumours regard the same same should not be spread.”
The vaccine will be given to 100 people at six centres of the district. During the first phase, 89 government centres and 818 private centres will administer vaccine to 52,381 people.
MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, Dr Bharath Y Shetty, zilla panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, vice president Kasturi Panja, mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, district health officer Ramachandra Bayari, deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra and others were present.
Udupi
The vaccination drive was inaugurated at district hospital Ajjarakad Udupi by district administration, zilla panchayat Udupi, National Health Campaign and District Health and Family Welfare department Udupi.
Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha speaking to mediapersons said, “There are six vaccination centres in the district. Out of that, one is a PHC. As per the today's plan, 538 out of 600 people will be immunised at six centres. Special training is given to 130 staff. A list of second beneficiaries is being prepared by the department. Vaccine will be given for all beneficiaries phase by phase.”
According to the information given by the health department, 22,333 beneficiaries have registered their names. Vaccination will be conducted in 152 sessions. Around 115 vaccine centres have been set up, 258 vaccination camps will be conducted and 139 vaccinators are appointed. Every three minutes, doses will give to beneficiaries. All required arrangements have been made.
AEFI kit, Rapid Response team, and 17 government ambulances are arranged at every center. An expert physicians' team is ready in the control room.
The first three vaccines were administered to Health department anaesthesia expert Dr Ganapathi Hegde, Basavaraj Dalawai and Mahesh Rakmoji.
Assistant deputy commissioner Sadhashiv Prabhu, CEO of zilla panchayat Naveen Bhat, district health officer Dr Sudhirchandra Sooda, Dr Prashanth Bhat, district Covid nodal officer, Dr Madhusudhan Nayak, district surgeon, Dr Rama, vaccination officer, Dr Premanand, vaccine special officer, Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, Raghavendra Kini, president, Udupi Urban Development authority, Dinakar Babu, president, zilla panchayat Udupi, Dumithra Nayak, president, city municipality council Udupi, Lakshmi Salian, vice president, city municipal councl, Mahesh Takhoor, president, town BJP and others were present.