Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant today informed that the State has sought permission from the Centre to divert the vaccination quota allotted for 45 years and above to inoculate those in the age group of 18-44 years.
Addressing a press conference, Sawant said that the government is awaiting reply from the Centre on the permission sought to use the vaccination quota allotted for 45 years and above to administer those in the age group of 18-44 years.
Sawant said that Government has written to the Center that the quota will be used on loan basis. He informed that the second consignment of vaccine for 18-44 years will be arriving in Goa in June.
Further, the Chief Minister said that 16,226 children below 17 years have already got infected to COVID-19 in the State. “Seven children have already lost their lives due to covid in this second wave,” he said adding ‘the COVID has already begun to infect the children and it is not just going to be in the third wave’.
Sawant was speaking in the presence of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Speaking about State’s preparedness to tackle third wave of COVID, Sawant said that health authorities have already started training of all the health workers and related staff required to handle the wave, especially in the pediatric section.
He said that government will convert any COVID dedicated hospital into pediatric hospital if need arises.
On Tika Utsav 2.0, the Chief Minister said that the same will be launched from tomorrow for 45 years and above. He said that the drive is only to administer first dose to those 40 per cent population, who is yet to be vaccinated in this age group.
“Through the Tika Utsav 2.0, we will reach everyone (above 45 years) and get them vaccinated. From May 26, the Tika Utsav will reach all gram panchayats and municipalities. We had started Tika Utsav in 168 places last time, we will cover more places now,” Sawant said.
Sawant said that the Tika Utsav 2.0 was aimed at giving the first vaccination dose to the 40 percent of the population above 45 years and would not facilitate administering of the second dose.
CM Sawant also said that government will prioritise vaccination for people with co-morbidities and lactating mothers.
“Government will priorities vaccination for people with co-morbidities and lactating mothers. We are in the process of formulating a plan for including lactating women for COVID-19 vaccination in state as per Government of India guidelines,” he added
