TN sets higher target to vaccinate all above 18
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has set a target higher than what the union government has declared for the vaccination of everyone above the age of 18, officials said on Thursday.
The union government had set December, but Tamil Nadu aims to complete it much earlier.
The launch of free Covid vaccination in private hospitals with corporate funds is part of the aggressive target, officials explained.
The state beame the first in the country on Wednesday to launch such a scheme.
The state needs 120 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to administer two doses for its 60 million population aged above 18 years.
Private hospitals who were not using the vaccines allotted to them fully now have joined the drive to vaccinate the maximum number of people. The Union government had earmarked 25 per cent of vaccines for private hospitals.
Officials said that 21.5 million people have been vaccinated till Wednesday.
Meanwhile the demand for reopening of educational institutions has intensified with the dip in Covid cases.
The reopening of schools in neighbouring Puducherry has also inspired a section of people in Tamil Nadu.
School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has said that discussions are being held about reopening of schools for students from classes 9 to 12.
The Federation of Association of Private Schools has already urged the government to reopen schools and requested the government to let them collect the full term fees.
The Federation also requested the government to disallow students from enrolling in other schools without transfer certificates.
Final results of Class 12 of State Board schools were announced on July 19, and all 816,000 students have passed. The board exams, scheduled to be held earlier this year, were cancelled owing to the pandemic.
A study on Thursday revealed that air pollution in Chennai is four times higher than the permissible level and has indirectly affected the normal life.
The Health Empowerment Initiative surveyed 20 locations in Chennai, including Trisulam, Barimunai, Kasimedu, Tiruvottiyur, Ennore Thermal Power Station, Chepauk, Velachery and The Nagar. They said 24-hour series of air quality inspections was conducted in February and March.