January 16, 2021: The Covid-19 vaccination drive has started on Saturday in three hospitals of Kamrup  Metro. Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world’s largest vaccination drive in Delhi, health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma launched the Covid-19 vaccination drive at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital(GMCH).

Earlier, the PM’s launching ceremony was joined via video conferencing by Dr. Sharma along with Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika, Principal Secretary(health)  Samir Sinha, Commissioner Secretary(health) Anurag Goel, National Health Mission Director Dr. Lakshmanan S, Director of health services, Assam Munindra Nath Ngatey, Principal, Guwahati Medical College  Hospital Dr. Achyut Kr.  Baishya and superintendent Dr. Abhijit Sharma.

The first three vaccines were given to Dr. Umesh Ch. Sharma, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora and Padmashri Dr. Ilyas Ali.

Apart from the GMCH, the vaccination  drive is also being carried out at Sonapur District Hospital and Marwari Maternity Hospital. Everyday, 100 persons are targeted to be vaccinated.

In the first phase, doctors and nurses to be vaccinated followed by frontline workers. In the third phase, people above 50 years of age and also below 50 years but having co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated.

Health Minister Dr.  Himanta Biswa Sharma informed that 3 lakh people will be vaccinated by April this year.

The vaccine will be given in two doses and both the doses have to be from the same vaccine. Besides, persons below 18 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers will not be given the vaccine. Those having allergic reaction to vaccines or injectible therapies also not to get the vaccine.

The second dose will be given 28 after the first dose and the antibody will grow after 14 days of the second dose of the vaccine.