Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the state will proceed with the liberalised phase of COVID-19 vaccination covering population between 18-45 as and when vaccines are available.
Union government has liberalised the COVID-19 vaccination regime starting from May 01 onwards.
Sawant said that Goa has placed an order of five lakh doses with the Serum Institute of India.
“Vaccination for the 18-45 age group will progress as and when we receive the doses,” he said in a statement issued here.
The chief minister said that the centre has liberalized this phase for procurement and implementation plans due to the demand of several CMs in the last three months to give liberty in choosing vaccines and planning of vaccination.
“Now it’s the duty of our state to procure the vaccine and plan successful vaccination of the larger population. Both these will happen in stages,” he added.
Referring to the order placed for additional vaccines, he said that the Vaccine manufacturing companies are in the process of expanding their capacities.
“Third vaccine is also getting introduced,” he said.
The chief minister said that it is the responsibility of the Government and the larger population to make this phase of vaccination successful. “We will plan the vaccination programme in detail, announce it in due time, so that slots will be available and people get vaccinated in a smooth and disciplined manner,” he added.
Sawant said that the state has liberty in procurement and planning. “It’s our responsibility to take it further and find the solution to this health crisis,” he added.
The chief minister said that the state received over 4.3 lakh doses of vaccination for three phases.
The three phases include vaccination for Health Care workers, Front Line workers and people above age group of 45.
“We have vaccinated over 2.5 lakh people with the first dose and over 68 thousand with the second dose. We have over 1.1 lakh doses available with us for further vaccination,” he added.
