VASCO
State Immunisation Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar has said authorities were awaiting directions on the immunisation of foreign nationals in the State.
Dr Borkar was speaking to reporters alongside an Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight program organised at Chicalim Sub District Hospital by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS)
“The State Government has covered vaccination of all categories of people above 18 years, including pregnant women and people who did not have Aadhaar cards like Nepali people in Goa. We are awaiting directions on immunisation of foreign nationals in Goa,” said Dr Borkar.
He said around 10 lakh people in the State have been administered the first Covid vaccine dose as of Sunday, taking their protection level to 60 per cent, while around 2.5 lakh received their second dose and have a protection level of around 80 per cent.
“We feel this isn't very good coverage considering that the estimated population of Goa of people above 18 years is 11,94,329 and this takes the state vaccination coverage to around 83 per cent. We only appeal to the people to get themselves vaccinated," said Dr Borkar.
"People may speak about side effects, but over 40 crore people have been vaccinated across India and we have seen that side effects are minimal compared to the risk benefits. The vaccine is safe and offered free of cost. People must come forward and they can register on the spot to vaccinate themselves to save themselves and Goa as well," said Dr Borkar.
