Parliament sets up exclusive vaccination centre for MPS

NEW DELHI: Parliament has set up an exclusive vaccination centre for its members within the complex to immunise lawmakers eligible for shots against Covid-19 during the second leg of the budget session that begins on Monday, according to an internal note. About 47% or 366 out of 777 MPS are eligible for Covid-19 vaccines in the category of elderly people, aged over the age of 60, according to data.

In the second phase of the nationwide vaccination drive, the government has announced that people above the age of 60 and those aged 45-59 and having specified comorbidites will be administered vaccine shots. While those above 45 with comorbidities are eligible, Parliament doesn’t keep health records of its members. PM Narendra Modi took his first dose at the All India Institute of Medical Scienentirely

LS CIRCULAR

ces on Monday morning.

“For the welfare of Members of Parliament, Covid-19 a vaccination centre has been set up in Parliament House Medical Centre from March 9,” said an internal circular of the Lok Sabha.

The Covid vaccines will be administered on all working days by trained health care workers. While the government is encouraging a targeted population to take the vaccines in the second phase, the vaccination at the Parliament Complex will be

voluntary, according to people aware of the developments. The MPS, however, have to mandatorily take RT-PCR tests to detect Covid-19 before attending the session. Family members of the MPS, too, will get the vaccines. “Two vaccination centers have also been set up for the family members of Members, one at CGHS Dispensary North Avenue and the other at CGHS Dispensary South Avenue. Members can undertake vaccination in their respective constituency also,” the circular said. According to Parliament’s data, 36% of the Lok Sabha MPS are above 60 years of age. The Rajya Sabha has more eligible candidates, with 62% of its MPS above the age of 60.