TARGET TO VACCINATE EVERY ELIGIBLE CITIZEN BY YEAR END: KARNATAKA

Karnataka aims to vaccinate every eligible citizen by the end of December, said Health and Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa flagged off the Laiksa Maha Abhiyana at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College, organized on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

Speaking to the media, Dr.Sudhakar said that PM Narendra Modi has suggested to organise an accelerated vaccination drive to mark Yoga Day. “Today we have set a target to inoculate about 7 lakh people in a single day. Our aim to vaccinate every eligible citizen by the end of December and make the state free from Covid-19,” said Dr. Sudhakar.

“The theme of this year’s Yoga Day is ‘Be with Yoga, Yoga for Wellness’. In the wake of the pandemic, this year too we need to celebrate yoga day at our homes. Yoga is necessary not just for an individual’s physical and mental health but also for societal health. Yoga is India’s gift to the world and it is a matter of pride that the whole world is celebrating Yoga Day every year on 21st June, ever since PM Modi proposed this at UN General Assembly in September 2014,” he added.

1.86 CRORE DOSES ADMINISTERED

“We have a stock of about 15 lakh doses of Covishield and 6-7 lakh doses of Covaxin in the state. More than 1.86 crore doses have been administered so far in 13,000 vaccination centres across the state. Even if we achieve 70-80 doses per centre we will meet our target. Active participation from citizens is crucial for the success of vaccination drive,” said Dr. Sudhakar.

The awareness about the importance of vaccines has increased now. Initially, people were hesitant but gradually the hesitancy has come down. People have now realised that vaccine is the best way to protect themselves from the virus, the minister said.