Intensification Of Vaccination Drive in Kashmir’s Pulwama after surge in new Covid-19 cases

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<strong>The Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir saw intensified vaccination drive in the wake of the surge in the Covid-19 pandemic cases. The district is located in South Kashmir.</strong></p>
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<strong>The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama, Shabir Ahmad Raina, speaking to ANI, informed that around 66,000 people have already been vaccinated in the district and that the administration has a target to vaccinate more than three lakh people.</strong></p>
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He said: “After this second wave, we have intensified our vaccination drive. We have a target to vaccinate more than 3 lakh people. Around 66,000 people have already been vaccinated. We are also going to make eight COVID care centres for the benefit of people.”</p>
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Speaking to the agency, Farooq Ahmad, a beneficiary said that some people are spreading rumours about the vaccines and that it has no side effect.</p>
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 “I came for vaccination at the Primary Health Centre, Newa. It is my first dose. Vaccination is going very well here. It is very important for all of us to inoculate ourselves against the deadly disease. There is no side effect of the vaccine. People saying about side effects are spreading rumours,” he said.</p>
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Another beneficiary, Abdul Rashid, thanked the Government for the vaccination drive. “There is no myth that COVID is a deadly disease. It is a great move by the government to vaccinate people against COVID-19. For now, vaccination is the only measure to break the chain of the virus since there is no medicine. I would urge everybody to vaccinate themselves to stay safe.”</p>
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The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir recorded 3,164 fresh Covid-19 cases on Tuesday taking the tally to 1,66,054, according to the Health Department of the UT. The active number of cases stands at 22,283.</p>
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The vaccination drive in India started on January 16 and was followed by the second phase on March 1, in which people above 60 years and those over 45 with comorbidities were vaccinated. From April 1 all above 45 years were vaccinated while from May 1, everyone above 18 years will be eligible.</p>
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Recently, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary had held a meeting to review the Covid-19 control measures, vaccination status, testing and enforcement of SOPs in the district.</p>
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The DC had sought details about the vaccination drive, facilities available at the Covid Vaccination Centres, manpower, vaccination vials and enforcement of SOPs.</p>
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The DC directed that the daily target of testing should be met and that strategic sampling should be done while giving priority to shopkeepers, hoteliers and other service providers. He stressed on mass awareness in order to make everyone know and adhere to the dos and don’ts.</p>