GUWAHATI: Assam has initiated its first round of Covid-19 vaccination process from 16th January. Although recipients will not be given a choice on which vaccine will be administered, those receiving the Covaxin are bound to give a written consent before being vaccinated.
The state has already received 2,21,500 doses of the vaccine. Of these 2,01,500 are of 'Covishield' of the Serum Institute of India, and 20000 doses are of 'Covaxin' developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca Plc and Bharat Biotech International.
In the first phase 1.9 lakh health workers will be administered the doses. However, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has informed that while the people receiving 'Covishield' need not give any prior consent, the same will be mandatory for those receiving 'Covaxin'.
"Receiving of the vaccine is voluntary. But for those who receive the Covaxin a written consent will be mandatory prior to being vaccinated," said Sarma.
"But given the situation the medical staffs are facing for the last one year, it is necessary and imperative that all medical professional and frontline workers receive the vaccine," he added.
Earlier the union health ministry had stated that "there is no option available regarding choice of vaccines."
"Two doses will be administered. The second dose will be given after 28 days' interval and the person will be observed for another 14 days. Only after 45 days can a person be said to be immune. Even after receiving the first dose people might be infected by the coronavirus," said the health minister.