CM: Aim is to give state Covid Protection Ring

Bommai launches booster dose for health workers, elders

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bringing Karnataka into the ‘Covid Protection Ring’ is the aim of the government, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday after launching the Booster Dose vaccination programme for health workers and senior citizens with comorbidities at Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute.

The CM said the state has achieved 100 per cent first dose vaccination and 77 per cent second dose vaccination. “We want to achieve 80 percent by the end of January and action will be taken to intensify the second dose jabs. We will achieve the target of bringing Karnataka into the Covid Protection Ring,” he said.

The chief minister described Corona warriors as the real sentinels of the nation. “Just like the soldiers protecting the borders, Corona warriors are protecting every family in the country,” he said. He also lauded Asha workers, doctors and nurses for rendering yeomen service. “They are the real guardians of the nation,” he said.

Vaccination is the only way to protect people from Covid. “The Covid second and third waves intensified due to the lack of vaccination in some countries. Western countries have now made vaccination compulsory. India has vaccinated three times more than what the USA has achieved. Even an advanced country like the USA has not achieved full vaccination of its population. But India with a population of 130 crore has done better,’’ he said. Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar and senior officials were present on the occasion.