Thursday 28 Mar 2024

CM plays up the vaccination numbers, says it’s 102 pc

Slams opposition criticism, asks them to support the vaccination drive instead; Tika Utsav 3.2 kicks off today

THE GOAN NETWORK | SEPTEMBER 16, 2021, 12:23 AM IST

MAPUSA
Referring to the data of the Union Ministry of health on the vaccination programme in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said 102 per cent of people in Goa have been vaccinated with the first dose and the focus now was to cover 100 per cent of Goans with double dose vaccination by October 31.

Sawant also said, on Wednesday, that the Tika Utsav 3.2 will kick off on Thursday (Sept 16) and asked the opposition to ensure that people come out and get vaccinated instead of criticizing the government at the drop of a hat.

“I want to tell the opposition that we don’t tell lies but we want people to get involved in the Tika Utsav and get vaccinated. Instead of criticizing the government, they (opposition) should take part in the Tika Utsav and save people’s lives,” Sawant said while addressing the media in Porvorim. 

Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane, Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital, Dr Shivanand Bandekar and Director of Health Services, Dr Jose D’Sa were also present.

The opposition, some days ago, had slammed the CM’s claim of 100 percent vaccination of Goans as a “pack of lies.”

Quoting from the data of the Union Ministry of Health, Government of India, the CM said 11.66 lakh people out of a total population of around 15 lakh are eligible for vaccination in the State.

“We have vaccinated 11,88,891 people with the first dose which is 102 percent while 5,02,144 have received the second dose which is 43.07 percent,” he said.

He further informed that approximately 1,70,00 people were due for the second dose as of Wednesday and if they got vaccinated then the percentage of second dose would cross 60 pe rcent.

He, however, admitted that the government cannot compel a person to get vaccinated.

Sawant informed that the Tika Utsav 3.2 starts on September 16 and will go on continuously for the next eight days.

“Government is taking all the steps to achieve cent per cent vaccination. People should participate in a big way so that we can achieve the target of 100 per cent vaccination with first and second dose by October 31. Even if a person has not taken the first dose they should also get vaccinated,” he said.

The CM said the government provided free vaccination to tourists and outstation labourers besides holding camps for foreigners.

“We have also gone on sites to do vaccination like in old-age homes, prisons etc to reach out to people,” he said, adding the government has reached out to villages to provide the vaccination facility.

Sawant applauded the entire health team from the department of health and directorate of health services, teachers and the panchayat members for the success of the Tika Utsav.

The Tika Utsav started off with the first doze with Tika Utsav 1.0 on April 10, 2021 followed by Tika Utsav 2.0 on May 26, Tika Utsav 3.0 in June 13 while the second dose started with Tika Utsav 1.2 on July 5, Tika Utsav 2.2 on August 20 and Tika Utsav 3.2 which will start from September 16.



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