Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 16 (EMN): Nagaland began Covid-19 vaccination for the 12-14 age group along with the rest of the country on Wednesday as eligible beneficiaries came forward to get the jabs at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Thejasevor Sachü, 12, was the first beneficiary of CorBEvax vaccine at the healthcare facility, followed by 14-year-old Kevikielie Sote.
Altogether, 22 beneficiaries received their first dose, according to sources from the hospital till the time of filing this report.
Prior to the inoculation of the vaccine, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, gave an orientation to the beneficiaries in the presence of District Immunisation Officer (DIO), CMO Kohima, Dr. Rupert Peseyie and others.
Meanwhile, an update from State Immunisation officer (SIO), directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Ritu Thurr informed the Covid-19 vaccination of children between 12-14 years of age under the national vaccination programme is guided by scientific evidence and global best practices.
It added that ‘on recommendation of the experts, it has now been decided to further expand the coverage of Covid vaccination of children in the age group of 12-14 years to be started’ and only Corbevax vaccine would be used for beneficiaries falling under this age group, that is they have to be born on or before March 15, 2010.
The department also updated that CorBEva vaccine has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for 12 years and above, and it is being manufactured by Biological E Limited, India. Meanwhile, the beneficiary can receive the second dose after 28 days of receiving the first dose.
The beneficiary can book the slot online or walk-in for registration at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs).
Initially, Kohima and Dimapur district will roll-out this vaccine and gradually, it will be extended to other districts as soon as the vaccines are dispatched to the districts, stated the department.
Also, Dr. Thurr informed this newspaper that on the first day, CorBEvax was administered at NHAK and District Hospital (DH) in Dimapur and is ‘ongoing’, while other sites (districts) will also start once the vaccines reach the centres in few days’ time as it has ‘already been dispatched’.