UP mulls making full vax a must for those coming to state
LUCKNOW: Even as Uttar Pradesh crossed the 4 crore mark of administering Covid vaccination doses on Saturday, the state government is considering making a negative RT-PCR report or complete vaccination mandatory for anyone coming in from other states.
Earlier in the day, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath said: “Till Friday, the state had administered 3.99 lakh doses and today the state will cross the 4 crore mark” At the Covid-19 review meeting at his official residence, he said that vaccination was a safety shield against the Covid infection and the vaccination drive was going on smoothly in the state.
He said that the Covid situation was well under control in the state but the policy of ‘trace, test, treat and vaccinate’ must continue with all intensity and efficiency and pointed out: “The corona infection has come under control, but isn’t eradicated. So the safety protocols including mask-wearing, social distancing, sanitization must continue”.
Yogi said that all those who were coming in from the other states should be screened at the airports, railway stations and bus stations. “Consider making a negative Covid RT-PCR report or complete vaccination mandatory for anyone coming in UP from other states. Issue an SOP (standard operating procedure) for this”, Yogi asked officers concerned.
The chief minister said that in the past 24 hours, only 81 fresh Covid cases were reported across the state while 106 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals. He said that currently, the state had a total of 1,310 active Covid cases. The Covid recovery rate in the state was 98.6%.
UP vaccination crosses 4 crore mark
The number of Covid vaccine doses administered in Uttar Pradesh crossed the 4 crore mark on Saturday.
“Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to have administered over 4 crore vaccine doses. This includes over 3.37 crore first dose and over 65 lakh second dose and the vaccination is being carried out even today,” said Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary, medical and health, in a press conference on Saturday.
He said that people were enthusiastic about vaccination and it should be done as a responsibility. “Whenever your turn comes, you must go to get the dose and also help elderly, children and all in the vulnerable groups to get their doses when their turn comes,” Prasad said. During the day, over 3.50 lakh doses were administered at 3263 vaccination sites at government health facilities and 74 private hospitals. The government health facilities provide free of charge vaccination while private hospitals charge for it.
According to the data, Uttar Pradesh crossed the 4 crore mark at around 4 pm. A total of 40271458 doses were administered. A major share in total vaccination was of beneficiaries between 18 and 45 years. In all, 1.71 crore doses had been administered to beneficiaries in this age group. This was followed by 1.37 crore between the age of 45 and 60 years and over 93 lakh above 60 years. g all 75 districts.
Experts said vaccination coverage can be increased if people participate with full enthusiasm. “People should register slots for vaccination and should make sure to take the jab. Also more private hospitals should participate in vaccination,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, director, Healthcity hospital.