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Srinagar, June 3: Ninety two percent of COVID frontline health warriors in Srinagar have been covered under COVID vaccination programme. Vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus
disease began in Jammu and Kashmir on January 16, this year, with two inaugural ceremonies in Jammu city and Srinagar respectively. The phase-II of the scheme began on 25 May for the 18-45
age category in J & K. “Health care workers and frontline COVID19 warriors were covered under Phase-I of vaccination in J&K. Therefore, we have, so far, a satisfactory percentage of
people vaccinated under this category,” said Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson Directorate of Health Kashmir. Quoting official data, he informed that 84 percent of health care workers have been
covered under vaccination while 92 percent people falling under category of frontline COVID19 warriors have got the shots of vaccination in district Srinagar. He further informed that in
Srinagar, forty three percent of people falling under the age group of above 45 years have also received vaccinations shots. Speaking about the Phase-II of vaccination drive wherein people
falling under the age group of 18 to 45 are eligible for vaccination, he said eight percent of population under this category has been covered. “The fact remains that Phase-II was recently
launched and people have to book appointments for vaccination online. That is why the figure seems low. But please remember that this is the data of last few days since the Phase-II
commenced recently,” Dr Mir Mushtaq said while replying to a query. He added that Directorate of Health Services Kashmir is not only establishing special centres for vaccination purposes but
is at the same time encouraging people to book appointment for vaccination. The drive of vaccination in entire country focused on vaccination of “priority groups” at initial stage. “In next
few weeks, we shall have covered all the eligible population under the process,” he said. Dr Mir Mushtaq termed the vaccine as “safe” and requested the eligible people to get themselves
vaccinated without any “doubt”. He said that “some rumor mongers and mischievous elements had tried to spread wrong information about vaccination.” “But we must appreciate the wit and wisdom
of people who voluntarily came forward, got vaccinated and proved the rumors wrong,” he said, adding, “Experts, doctors and other relevant people have been the first recipients of vaccine
instill sense of safety and faith in the effectiveness of the vaccine among common masses.” Underscoring the significance of this immunization programme to comprehensively combat the corona
pandemic, he said that vaccination drive in full swing. The DHSK spokesperson appealed people to follow COVID19 safety guidelines and make collective effort in defeating coronavirus.