Covid vaccine will be distributed at 243 centres across Karnataka, says state Health Minister

A total of 243 centres have been prepared for the launch of the first phase of vaccination drive across the state on 16 January, including 10 centres in Bengaluru, said Health & Medical Education Minister Dr K. Sudhakar. He was speaking to the media after holding a video conference with Deputy Commissioners, Zilla Panchayat CEOs and district health officers regarding vaccination drive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the vaccination drive in Bengaluru Medical College on Saturday and another 9 centres have been prepared in the capital for the purpose he said. Some private hospitals like St. Johns Medical college have also been included in this initiative. Covishield will be distributed in 237 centres and Covaxin in 6 centres in Bellary, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikmagalur, Chamarajnagar and Davanegere, said the minister.

Politicians would have been given the vaccine in the first phase, but health warriors who are in the forefront in the fight against Corona will be given priority. Persons with comorbidities are next in the priority, said Dr Sudhakar.

Total 7,17,439 health warriors will be vaccinated in the initial phase and we are aiming to vaccinate 24,300 people on the first day itself. We have 8,14,500 doses of vaccine and the initial phase is expected to complete within a week, said the minister.

There will be emergency medical service available at the site of vaccination if any side effects occur to anybody. People are being misled by the rumours spreading in social media. Only information provided in official government handles are authenticated, he clarified.

The minister also said that Health warriors, police staff and pourakarmikas have been registered in the first phase. Vaccine is completely safe.10 walk-in coolers, 4 walk-in freezers, 3,210 ILRs, 3,312 cold boxes, 46,591 vaccine carriers and 2,25,749 ice packs are available, he added.