COVID-19: Vaccination for above 18 years of age to begin in J&K

SRINAGAR — The much-awaited vaccination drive for people above 18 years of age in all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir UT will kick-start today, officials said.

Vaccination drive for above 18 category was started in Srinagar and Jammu districts only on May 1 which was later extended to few districts including Anantnag and Baramulla from Kashmir division and Udhampur and Rajouri from Jammu division.

State Immunisation Officer, Dr Shahid Hussain said that fresh lot of vaccines was received on Saturday and distributed in all districts.

He said that vaccination drives in all districts will start today and some districts can start from tomorrow. Dr Shahid said that the drive is going on in full swing and around 37 lakh doses have been administered so far which includes around 31 lakh given as first dose and six lakh as second dose.

He added that 75.76 percent above 45 category have been already vaccinated in J&K and in some districts, 100 percent people above 45 have been given doses.

Pertinently, vaccination drive in J&K was started in J&K on January 16 in healthcare workers after which it was extended to frontline workers and later to above 60 years of age and then above 45 years of age.