Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the Union Health Ministry has permitted vaccination of those who cross 17 years of age against Covid-19 and requested the people to curb further spread of the infectious disease by taking all steps including vaccination.

Claiming that the pandemic state of affairs in Assam notwithstanding the festive season is now gradually improving, the Chief Minister requested the people to take both doses of Covid-19 vaccine for their personal protection and welfare of the society.

Speaking at an election rally for the bypoll (October 30) to the Mariani assembly seat, Sarma, who held the Health Department in the previous Assam government, said that the centre has of lae asked that all those who have crossed the 17 years of age can now receive the vaccine. The existing Covid vaccines  Covishield and Covaxin are being administered in India for those who are above 18 years of age.

Biswa said that the second wave started from April and if people remain alert, further spread of the disease would be checked. "Elections are a normal important exercise in our country, but people's lives are foremost important. People have to be cautious about Covid," he said and firmly announced that there would be no lockdown again in Assam. He also reiterated that his govt’s war against drugs, corruption and other illegal activities would be intensified. Of Assam's over 3.50 crore population, till Monday 2,72,94,413 people took the jab with 73,62,507 administered two doses.

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