Despite its remote location and a spread out population, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their pristine and scenic natural beauty, has achieved the distinction of becoming the first among the States and Union Territories to achieve 100 per cent full vaccination of all eligible persons.

Celebrating this, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration tweeted: “A&N achieved 100% Covid vaccine coverage, making it 1st State/UT to achieve the feat using only Covishield. UT Admin overcame Insurmountable odds for this extraordinary feat in one of the remotest parts of the world.”

#CoVIDVaccine #TheAndamanStory – 1 – A&N achieved 100% Covid vaccine coverage making it 1st State/UT to achieve the feat using only Covishield. UT Admin overcame Insurmountable odds for this extraordinary feat in one of the remotest part of world. @MediaRN_ANI @Jitendra_Narain

— Andaman and Nicobar Admn (@Andaman_Admin) December 18, 2021

Talking about this important achievement, District Commissioner South Andaman District, A&N Administration, Suneel Anchipaka, told news18.com: “It is a proud moment for us. We have achieved the target due to teamwork, guidance and instructions of our Hon’ble Lt. Governor and the Chief Secretary.”

The DC went on to add: “I would also like to express my gratitude to all the health workers who worked hard and risked their lives to reach remote places in this archipelago. They travelled by land, while some reached the remotest places through sea and air routes. They walked through dense jungle and difficult hilly terrain where the presence of poisonous snakes and crocodiles are very high just to vaccinate people living in the remote areas."

To ensure that officials and health workers reached these inaccessible islands, ships and helicopters were used.

Praising the people for being cooperative during the vaccination campaign, the official observed: “Since the pandemic was alarming, we roped in all the departments and collectively launched awareness campaigns on dos and don’ts while dealing with the crisis. We informed people that instead of panicking, they should follow the Covid-19 protocols.”

Even during the Eid festival, vaccination went on except the timing changed. “We also kept the sentiments of the people during Eid festival by vaccinating them during the evening after the fasting hours,” Anchipaka disclosed.

Apart from this evening vaccination was followed for those households too who could be contacted at that time like labourers and working people.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are spread over 836 islands which are separated by sea while many of these jungles have dense jungles and hills.