Covid Vaccination for 18-44 age-group is starting in Doda District at 6 identified sites from tomorrow and the eligible persons can register themselves on the designated portal.The District administration has also decided to rope in religious heads to motivate the age appropriate people for vaccination in the areas where the people are reportedly showing some reluctance.The information was given by Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Sharma, while giving weekly briefing to media persons.Giving details, the DC informed that over 70% population of 45 year and above age has been vaccinated in the district, while vaccination for above 18 yr age, especially the vulnerable section of the society, is going to start from tomorrow at six vaccination sites identified across the district.With regard to rural health care facilities (CC Centres), the DC informed that all are functioning with all basic facilities. He said around 237 Panchayat level centres 70 have been provided oxygen concentrators, while the rest will also be provided as soon as the supply was received from JKMSCL.Further, the DC informed that pension benefits for the families of the persons who died due to Covid, and scholarship benefits for their children under SAKSHAM scheme has been approved and shall be paid by the concerned department in the upcoming days.
Regarding the Covid restrictions, he said these have been further eased in the district and shops are now allowed to open on all 05 days, except on Saturday and Sunday on which there shall be complete corona curfew, Meanwhile, the DC attended a meeting attended by religious heads, elected representatives of various areas (DDC members and BDC chairpersons) here in the conference hall of the DC office. The meeting was held to seek the cooperation of the civil society members, including religious leaders, for motivating the people to take vaccines, particularly in the areas with low percentage.The Chief Medical Officer apprised the participants that the percentage of vaccination of 45 & above in Ghat Block is only around 50% as against 39000 persons only 20000 have taken vaccination. He said the low vaccination can affect the Covid containment efforts.The religious heads, DDC members and BDC chairpersons were of the opinion that collective efforts are imperative for the health and welfare of the society.It was unanimously decided that sensitisation teams shall be constituted for the targeted areas, which shall include religious heads, elected representatives, senior citizens, Tehsildars, Block development officers, including field functionaries of health department so that aggressive awareness campaign in the areas which are having low percentage shall be carried out collectively under set protocol of Covid-19.The DC asked the concerned officials to reach out to the targeted people & get them vaccinated at an earliest. He also requested religious leaders and elected representatives to work in tandem and serve as a bridge between Administration and public to counter the false information being spread against the vaccination.The DC also sought suggestions from the participants with regard to scaling up the vaccination.