Pictures By Zargar Zahoor
SRINAGAR, MARCH 16: After the completion of Covid-19 vaccination of priority groups of higher age, the Health Department Kashmir today launched a vaccination drive for the age group between 12 to 14 years across Kashmir.
The vaccination drive has been started on March 16, which is being observed as Vaccination Day across the country.
In Srinagar, the vaccination drive was inaugurated by Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Abid Hussain at Govt Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS) Rajbagh in presence of Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather.
It was informed that during the drive the population of 336758 children shall be covered across Kashmir Division at 105 planned Session Sites.
Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Commissioner said that the Divisional Administration achieved milestone to cover entire population for Covid-19 vaccination above the age of 14 years with the active support of heath and other departments and added that children are also vulnerable to pandemic infection hence they also need to be inoculated.
Assistant Director, Family Welfare, Dr Masarat informed that they have a new vaccine “Corbevax” for the 12 to 14 age group to protect children from Covid-19 infection.
Among others, Incharge DCCRK, Tahir Magray; Epidemiologist, Dr Talat; Principal GGHSS Rajbagh and other staff were present on the occasion.
At Budgam: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza today launched a mega vaccination drive for 12-14 years age group of children at Boys Middle School Khanpora, here.
The DC said that as many as 33000 children in this age group shall be covered under the intensive vaccination drive to be carried out across the district.
He said that scores of vaccination centers have been established in the district, where children between this age group shall be vaccinated. He said that the drive shall go smoothly at all centers to cover all eligible children as soon as possible.
The DC said that the drive is being carried under the government directions to ensure the safety of children and their health.
He urged parents to take their children to the vaccination centers and instructed teachers to ensure all students in this age group are covered and given the first vaccine dose.
Among others, President MC Budgam, CEO , Syed Mohammad Amin, BMO Budgam, District Immunization Officer, Headmaster BMS Khanpora, teachers, medical staff and other concerned were also present on the occasion.
At Anantnag, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Piyush Singla today kick-started the vaccination for children in 12-14 Years age group at Govt. Boys Middle School, Pahalgam.
The DC said that he is hopeful that the vaccination in this age group will be completed in record time. He reviewed the measures put in place for ensuring social distancing and adhering to CAB in the schools.
At Kulgam, the drive was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr.Bilal.Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat from Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kulgam.
CMO, Principal, staff members from Health and Education departments were also present on the occasion.
The CMO informed that the target of beneficiaries under this age group is 20700 and all requisite arrangements have been put in place to cover the beneficiaries smoothly across the district.
The DC instructed the authorities to ensure 100% coverage of the entire target group.
At Kupwara, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Imam Din today kick-started Covid-19 vaccination drive for children of 12-14 years age group at KPS, here.
Chief Medical Officer Kupwara and other concerned were present at the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, the DC urged the medical staff engaged with the vaccination to ensure that all children falling under the target age group shall be vaccinated.
He also stressed the need for evolving a checking mechanism so that no children remain unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, many students were vaccinated in the presence of the DC.
On the occasion, it was informed that 42,505 children are being vaccinated during the drive. The visiting teams of the health department shall visit all middle schools across the district to achieve the target.
Meanwhile, National Immunization Day was observed across the district. On the occasion, the DC gave a birth dose vaccine to newborn baby at Sub District Hospital, Kupwara in presence of CMO and the concerned officers.
Functions with regard to observing National Immunization day were held at all Medical blocks and Hospitals, where officers from Health Department and District Administration gave vaccination doses to the babies.
At Pulwama, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Pulwama, Dr Haseena launched a mega vaccination drive for 12-14 years age group of children.
On the occasion, the CMO encouraged the eligible teenagers to come forward and get vaccinated at nearest session sites to safeguard themselves as vaccination is extremely important for immunity against the Covid-19 infection.
While inaugurating the drive at Boys Higher Secondary School Tahab, She said that as many as 27394 children in this age group shall be covered under the vigorous vaccination drive to be carried out across the district.
During the drive, scores of students were vaccinated.
Block Medical Officer, Pulwama Dr Irfana Gani, Principal BHSS Tahab, teachers, medical staff and other concerned were also present on the occasion.
At Bandipora, the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday celebrated National Vaccine day at CHC Hajin. On the occasion Deputy Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Parvaiza kick-started the vaccination drive against Covid-19 for children between the age group of 12-14 years.
Dr Parvaiza inaugurated the drive by vaccinating the children with Corbevax against Covid-19 at CHC Hajin. She was accompanied by BMO Hajin Dr Aijaz, District Immunization Officer Dr Parvaiz, District Mass Media Officer Ab Hamid and other senior officers of the health department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Dy. CMO stated that vaccination centres have been established at all major health centres in the district to vaccinate the targeted age group. She said the vaccination drive will be held in schools also.
Dr Parviza said the district intends to vaccinate around 20000 children of 12-14 age group and a plan has been already devised to vaccinate children in the shortest possible time.
She urged the children of the 12-14 age groups to get vaccinated at earliest and appealed to the parents to ensure their wards are vaccinated immediately.
On the occasion, Asha workers were also felicitated for pulse polio coverage 2022.
