District to have more vaccination centres

Drive to cover all over the age of 45 from April 1

The number of vaccination centres in the district is set to increase over the next few days considering that the vaccination drive will expand to cover all people over the age of 45 from April 1 onwards. While 90 vaccination centres are presently functioning in the government sector, there are 70 private vaccination centres. Health officials in the district plan on increasing the number soon to 100 centres each in the government and private sectors to meet the increased demand. The target for the district is to administer 20,000 doses daily, and an average of around 18,000 doses are administered daily for now, said Dr. M.G. Sivadas, Reproductive and Child Health Officer and nodal officer for immunisation. A little over 1 lakh doses are altogether available in government and private centres, and the stock will last for at least five days. A fresh supply of vaccines is expected to arrive in the district on April 2. The regional vaccine store in Ernakulam has a stock of about 1 lakh doses that can be dipped into if needed, Dr. Sivadas said.