Srinagar, Mar 01: The second phase of Covid vaccination drive was kick started in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday along with whole India.

During second phase all the citizens of above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with comorbidities will get Covid vaccination shots.

State immunization officer Dr Qazi Haroon said that on day one around 1500 people got Covid vaccination shots and in coming days the speed will increase.

He said that during first phase of Covid vaccination, around 70 percent health workers and 60 percent front line workers have received Covid vaccination so far which they are expecting to end this week.  Pertinently, the first phase of Covid vaccination was started on 16 Jan across India.

Officials said that the health department is going to start around 3000 vaccination sites for the vaccination across J&K.

Notably, the Covishield vaccine which is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune is being given as Covid vaccine in J&K.

People who want to take Covid-19 vaccine shots at private hospitals will have to pay up to Rs 250 per dose for the vaccine. The Union Health Ministry has capped the price of Covid-19 vaccine for private hospitals. As per the ministry, the Rs 250 will include the cost of vaccine (Rs 150) plus service charges (Rs 100).

In this phase, all people aged above 60 will also be able to get Covid-19 vaccine shots free of cost from over 10,000 government vaccination centres in whole India. kno