Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 4 June 2021
Residents in the age group of 18-44 years residing in the remote Islands of the Nicobar District are waiting eagerly for COVID-19 vaccination to start. COVID-19 vaccination in Nicobar District for 18+ age group began on 21st May 2021, but only at Car Nicobar.
Very limited number of vaccines were sent to Nicobar District, which is the reason for not extending the vaccination drive beyond Car Nicobar.
COVID-19 vaccination in Car Nicobar for 18+ age group is also on hold now and only a very limited number of beneficiaries were able to get themselves inoculated.
The local WhatsApp groups of Campbell Bay and other Islands are full of queries on 18+ vaccination in their respective Islands.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration had earlier informed the media, that 9070 doses of COVISHIELD was sent by the Serum Institute of India for 18+ vaccination in the Islands. They had further informed that additional 10000+ doses of the vaccine is expected to be received soon.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration has ordered 3.6 lakh doses of COVISHIELD from Serum Institute of India to vaccinate its 18+ population.
The vaccines for the age group of 18-44 years is being administered for free by Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
Mr. Aslam Majid, First Captain of Kamorta also called up Nicobar Times recently with his query on 18+ vaccination for Nancowry group.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration should publish tentative vaccination schedule for 18+ age group, for different Islands, so that the general public gets a rough idea on when they can expect to be vaccinated.
It is very important that 18+ population residing in the remote Islands of Nicobar Group is vaccinated on priority, because of the limited health care facilities available here.