The year-old wait of the state for vaccines to stop the ever-expanding territory of coronavirus comes to an end today as the first batch of the covid-19 vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India has reached Hyderabad from its Pune hub.
The shipment carrying 3.64 lakh vials reached Rajiv Gandhi International Airport today morning after which the doses of Covishield were shifted to the GMR cargo area and then to the Medical Health head office situated in Koti, according to officials.
“The first consignment of the vaccine will be going to 11 destinations outside the state by this evening,” Hyderbad airport CEO Pradeep Panicker said.
Tight police security was established during the unloading of the trucks as they came filled with the precious vials.
As directed by the Chief Minister, the health department will begin administering the doses, to the selected beneficiaries whose names have been pre-registered in the COWIN app, beginning January 16th.
Preparations to receive and administer the vaccine has already been made in 1,213 vaccine centers across Telangana. As such, 866 cold chains points have also been created to shift the vaccine that requires a certain minimum temperature level.
Headed by Somesh Kumar, the Chief Secretary, a committee formed especially for the vaccination drive will monitor the program at the state level while other task force teams have been created for the district and zonal levels.
On Monday, the first day of the drive, close to 13,900 healthcare workers will be given the shot in 139 vaccine centers. As announced earlier, health workers, frontline personnel, aged individua’s and those with comorbidities will be the first to receive the vaccine.
According to the planned schedule, the vaccine will be administered in one week to 3.1 lakh healthcare workers. This blueprint mentions that the program will take place on 4 days- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Covaxin, the covid-19 vaccine variant of indigenous Bharat Biotech, a Hyderabad-based drugmaker, is expected to roll out its shot and send in the vaccine to the centers by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, Dr. G. Srinivasa Rao, Telangana State’s Director of Public Health said.
He added that despite the availability of 2 vaccines in the city, both the doses needed to get inoculated will be administered of the same brand.
