Covid-19 vaccination for 45 years and above from today

As many as 5,500 centres across the state will offer Covid vaccination to citizens aged 45 and above from Thursday, announced Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar.

It is estimated that Karnataka has around 1.66 crore above 45 years of age. The state has successfully vaccinated more than 39 lakh people since January 16. This number includes healthcare workers, frontline workers, persons above 60 years age and persons aged 45 to 59 with co-morbidities. From April 1 onwards, all people above 45 years irrespective of comorbidities will be eligible for Covid-19 vaccination.

The government has made all preparations to ensure smooth implementation of vaccination drive for this added age group. In addition to existing vaccination centres, the government has planned to provide the service at Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) and subcentres.

Karnataka has a stock 13.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 1.5 lakh doses of Covaxin and these vaccines have been been supplied to all the cold chain points across the districts as per their requirement.

People can get registered on Co-WIN portal https://selfregistration.cowin.gov.in/ or through Arogya Setu app to book their desired vaccination date. Walk-in registration will also be available at all the vaccination centres.

"At least 100 people can be vaccinated at each centre. Even if 50 visit a centre, 2.50 lakh people can get easily vaccinated in a single day," Sudhakar said.

Within BBMP limits, vaccination is being offered at 525 centers. "To facilitate vaccination for all people over 45 years of age, private hospitals have been asked to increase session sites by deploying more staff," said outgoing BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad.