Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, May 30: In an extensive tour to Pahalgam, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla today inspected COVID-19 vaccination sites at PHCs Pahalgam, Sallar and Overa, HS Aishmuqam and other places of the subdivision.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that the vaccine is absolutely safe and a potent weapon to curb the pandemic and appealed to the eligible people to get vaccinated at an earliest. He also advised the public not to pay any heed to the baseless rumours regarding safety of the vaccine adding strict legal action will be taken against the rumour mongers.
He informed that more than two lac vaccine doses have been given to the beneficiaries in the district with not a single case of AEFI reported so far.
The DC took the opportunity to interact with the people and urged them to participate in the ongoing 45 plus and 18 to 45 targeted vaccination drives as per their eligibility adding the same is critical for combating the deadly disease.
Regarding 18-45 targeted vaccination programme, the DC said the immunisation of high risk/exposure and vulnerable sections viz service providers, shopkeepers, transporters, construction workers, widows, orphans, specially abled persons etc will prove immensely helpful for taking vital gains against the virus.
He also took stock of the availability of vaccines at these centres and directed the BMOs to constitute teams for vaccination of nomads who migrate to the upper reaches during this season.
The DC during the visit was accompanied by Tehsildar Pahalgam/Sallar, Dr. Mohammad Hussain, BDO Pahalgam, Shakeeb Arsalan, BMO Mattan, Dr. Saleem Beg, BMO Sallar, Dr. Nasir and other concerned officers.
Meanwhile, it was given out that the vaccination drives have been going on smoothly across the district and senior officers from administration and health are monitoring and supervising the immunisation programmes on ground.