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| People await Covid vaccine as hopes rise | | |
ISHTIYAQ AHMAD
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 7: With hectic preparations having commenced for the roll out the COVID-19 vaccine, people here in the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory are optimistic about the pandemic to end soon.
Sources said that the Central Government has asked all the States and Union Territories to prepare and maintain a database of the prioritized group of people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during the initial stages.
Sources said that at present, 3 companies are frontrunners in developing COVID-19 vaccines in India- which are currently in the third phase of clinical trials and will be shortly available for usage.
"After so many months we are hearing good news. The vaccine will bring the much needed respite and will lead to life returning to normal," said Shabir Ahmad of Srinagar.
According to the officials in India, vaccines are being administered against 12 preventable diseases under the prestigious 'Universal Immunization Programme' (UIP), which is one of the largest immunization programmes in the world. Therefore, with a strong network of 28,947 chain points for storage and distribution of vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine distribution too will be carried out in a hassle-free and time-bound manner.
An official said that the government has dropped enough hints about COVID vaccines being ready. "Now, it's just a matter of time before the distribution starts. The vaccines have to reach everyone and a lot of people will be needed to do this job. Volunteers and NGOs have to be involved to ensure that people get vaccinated," the official added.
An expert said, "Distribution of vaccines could prove to be a difficult task if it's done haphazardly. A proper planning needs to be done to ensure that no one remains deprived of the COVID cure."
He said, "There are certain apprehensions and confusions about the efficacy of the vaccines but these will get cleared soon after these doses are rolled out and people start getting injected. We don't have many choices and will have to rely on the COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved."
Till now the government has not given any hint about its pricing. "Ones who can afford won't mind paying for it but the ones who cannot may remain without getting vaccinated," said an expert.
He said, "The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all and everyone should get it. If the government cannot provide it free it should at least make it affordable for the common people. Masses are eagerly waiting for the COVID cure to come and no one can be deprived of it."
It's in place to mention here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently asked the States to remain prepared for administering COVID vaccines to the people, but he warned of the possible side effects.
An official said, "We have got the directions from the higher ups to put adequate infrastructure in place to store the COVID vaccines as these require extremely low temperatures for storage."
He said, "We are hopeful that by early next year supply will start arriving and the wait will end. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Kashmir the administration has been on toes but we have succeeded in controlling the infection to a great extent."
A medico said that the arrival of the vaccine will prove to be a big respite for everyone. "People have been struggling continuously for the past nine months as the virus has behaved erratically since the outbreak of the pandemic. The news about COVID vaccine being in its final stages has made people optimistic about the worst being over. But the common people should bear in mind that sanitizers, masks and social distancing cannot be avoided. These are three mantras which need to be followed even after the vaccine comes."
Another medico said, "The guard cannot be lowered. People have to be extra cautious. It's just a matter of one or two months before they will get the protection and can carry on with their daily chores without any fear of the virus. The cure has been found. Now, only the execution part is pending." |
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