The state government is aiming to administer at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 70 per cent of the eligible population by the end of September, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said today.
The target population is around 20.26 lakh of which more than 9.4 lakh have received at least one dose of Covishield. To meet the government’s target, a further 4.74 lakh people would have to get a jab in the next 52 days. This works out to an average of 9,120 per day, which is lower than July’s average of 11,167 but higher than the average achieved in the first nine days of August – 8,113.
“We want to complete 100 per cent vaccination as soon as possible, that is our intention,” Tynsong said after a review meeting today. “If we can complete 100 per cent vaccination, we will be free (from the virus) and I think restrictions can be removed.”
The Deputy CM, who holds the health portfolio, said that the government’s focus is to reach out to the grassroots and encourage each and every adult to get vaccinated.
Currently 46 pe rcent of the eligible population has received at least one jab.
“Now 54 per cent remains. There is still a long way to go. But the Health Department from the state to the block and the village levels is working hard to make the citizens understand the need to take the vaccine,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Tynsong also said that the government is concerned about the prolonged lockdown due to the second wave of the coronavirus.
“We want to bring back normalcy. But taking into consideration the alarming increase in the positivity rate, which is still very grim, we cannot take any decision at one go. Step by step we will observe the situation but we want things to return to normal at the earliest,” he added.
On reopening of educational institutions, Tynsong said that the government has asked the Education Department to make a presentation on what are the modalities to open schools, colleges and universities.
