The two vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield, will be given free of cost to 3 crore people in the initial phase and the entire cost will be borne by the Centre. More than 16 lakh people in Karnataka will be administered vaccine in the initial phase including healthcare workers and frontline staff, said state Health Minister Dr K. Sudhakar.
The PM held a video conferencing with Chief Ministers of all states in which Dr K. Sudhakar was also present along with CM B.S. Yediyurappa.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr K. Sudhakar said that about 16 lakh corona warriors including police personnel, staff of rural development dept in the state will be administered vaccine in the initial phase.
The vaccine will be administered in two doses. After the first dose another dose will be administered after 28 days. So immunity will be developed after 45 days.
So one has to be careful for 45 days, Sudhakar said, explaining the PM’s advise in the meeting.
There is no need to panic about safety of vaccine. Vaccine has undergone clinical trials and it is safe. State is fully prepared to begin vaccination drive and centre will supply additional walk-in freezers. Vaccination will begin from 16 January, he said.
In the second phase vaccine will be administered to people aged above 50 years and other vulnerable groups, he added.