Ranganattha Bhojji, a member of the Multi-Tasking Staff of GMCH, the first person to receive the vaccine at GMC on Saturday.
PANAJI
The Covid vaccination programme was kicked off in Goa on Saturday after the national launch with around 426 healthcare workers receiving a dose of ‘Covishield’ at seven centres across the state including five government hospitals.
Ranganattha Bhojji, a member of the Multi-Tasking Staff of GMCH, became the first person to receive the vaccine at GMCH. Nodal officer for vaccination at GMC, Dr Jagadish Kakodkar informed that a total of 42 healthcare workers out of the list of 100 were vaccinated at GMC on Saturday. Two minor Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) were reported.
The nationwide launch of Covid vaccine was held today at 11 am at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar attended the launch virtually at the Covid Vaccination Block at GMC. Javadekar is in Goa for the Inaugural of 51th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
After the ceremony, CM Sawant stated, “This is a made-in-India vaccine. I congratulate the scientists at Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech for their efforts. Let us make this a huge success by lending our cooperation and support.”
Health Secretary Shashank Mani Tripathi said, “Today’s vaccination drive will be a life changing event for all as we hope that with the vaccine, our lives will be back to normal. Goa is all set for the vaccination drives which will take place in the coming future too. I urge all the front line workers to come forward and take a vaccine whenever you get a chance.”
Sharing some details about the vaccination, GMC Dean Dr S M Bandekar said that it is a voluntary process and underlined that the vaccination certificate will prove of immense use especially if one intends to travel abroad. “A person will have to register if s/he intends to get vaccinated. A certificate will be provided to each beneficiary post vaccination. The certificate has a lot of value especially if one is travelling abroad.”
The certificate states that the person cannot be an asymptomatic carrier.
Dr Bandekar informed that two doses of ‘Covishield’ will be administered to the beneficiaries within a gap of 28 days. Persons under the age of 18 and pregnant ladies are exempted from this vaccine.
“Specialized training was given for three days to all those who are involved under this process,” he informed.
Dr Mohandas Pednekar, Medical Superintendent who supervised the programme of vaccination at Asilo Hospital in Mapusa, agreed that the vaccination received a huge response from the healthcare sector.
Officials of the Directorate of Health Services informed that every session site was well equipped and organized as per the union government guidelines. Five experienced and trained vaccination officers supervised the process in three designated rooms; the waiting room, vaccination room and observation room.
No major AEFIs were reported during the campaign, DHS stated in a press release.
