Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan / Photo: Ragesh EV | Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the assembly that Kerala has taken effective measures to counter coronavirus spread. The CM was responding to the opposition who had brought an adjournment motion over the Covid crisis.
The Chief Minister also raised a sharp criticism against the new Union Health Minister.
The Union health minister claimed that Kerala possesses sufficient stock of COVID vaccine and over 10 lakh doses left in the state. It is a baseless comment. He made this remark when only 5 lakh doses were left in Kerala. Last Saturday, Kerala administrated more than four lakh vaccines which is the highest in a day.
He claimed that vaccination in Kerala is double the national average. Kerala has a population of 3.51 crore as of 2021. As of July 26, 1.31 crore people were given the first dose and 56.52 lakh people received the second dose. The first dose was given to 37.32 percent of people. 16.19 percent received the second dose which is higher than the national average.
Also,100 percent of the health workers took the first dose of the vaccine. The second dose can be taken only after a prescribed time period. That is the reason for the delay in administering the second dose, informed the CM.
He also ruled out the allegations which claimed the vaccine was not given to the frontline warriors.
The second dose was given to 21 percent of people in the 18-45 age group. 76 percent of people above 45 were given the first dose and 39 percent received the second dose. The vaccination drive was carried out as per the centre's directive.
Claiming that Kerala had made no lapse in the immunisation drive, he said the present situation was that the available vaccine stock was not enough to meet its demands.
The CM also said the state would approach the Centre demanding more doses of vaccine.
The lockdown was first announced in Kerala. Following this, the centre imposed a nationwide lockdown.
Kerala is running a Community kitchen programme to feed the poor during the pandemic period. People also supported the government to execute the programme. Kerala has taken a scientific procedure to counter the pandemic situation, added the CM
He pointed out that the government was not wrong in giving relaxation in the Covid restrictions. But the COVID curbs were intensified in order to avoid hospital admissions.
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