Chhattisgarh will very soon receive the first batch of 3.23 lakh Covidshield vaccines, the government said on Tuesday.
Covidshield made by SERUM Institute of India has been approved by ICMR for vaccination.
As per the protocol of the Health department, sufficient arrangements have been made for storage and transport of the vaccine across the state, an official press release said. In different districts, mock drills have been held.
The Health Department has arranged insulated vaccine vans for transporting the vaccine doses from Raipur airport to the state vaccine storehouse.
The vaccine doses will be stored in temperatures ranging between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. From the state warehouse, it will be taken to districts in the insulated vans.
For the safe transport, one state level, three regional and 27 district level cold chain points have been established.
Currently, there are 630 cold chain points in the state with a storage capacity of 85,000 litres. Also, 81 additional cold chain points have been set up and 1,311 cold boxes are available for storing the vaccines.
To store syringe, needle and other vaccination materials, 360 dry storage places have been set up.
State vaccination officer Dr Amar Singh Thakur said 2.67 lakh health workers, state and central government employees along with security forces will receive the vaccine doses first.
