Karnataka healthcare warriors first to get COVID-19 vaccine, says K Sudhakar

Health Minister K Sudhakar on Friday stated that healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and paramedics ANMs, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, medical officers, scientists, and research staff and all those working in the healthcare sector would be the first to get vaccinated for COVID-19 immunity in Karnataka.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Friday stated that healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and paramedics would be the first to get vaccinated for COVID-19 immunity when introduced.

Speaking to the media Sudhakar said "Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and support staff in state-run and private hospitals will be the first beneficiaries of the vaccine when released by the central government".

The healthcare warriors across the state also include ANMs (auxiliary nurse-midwives), ASHAs (accredited social health activists), Anganwadi workers, medical officers, scientists, and research staff and all those working in the healthcare sector.

The central government is reportedly preparing to introduce a proven vaccine across the country after its approval by its Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Noting that the central government would announce the launch date of the vaccine after its production was commenced, Sudhakar said other priority groups, including senior citizens and people with co-morbidities would be vaccinated in a phased manner after the healthcare warriors.

"The state government will use the cold chain system of routine immunisation under universal immunization programme (UIP) for storing the vaccine when made available to the state by the Centre," noted Sudhakar.

The cold chain facility for storing the vaccine will be made available in all the 30 districts across the southern state.