Madhya Pradesh would also start administering its healthcare workers the second shot vaccine against COVID-19 on Saturday. This will coincide with the national launch of vaccines.

The first shot of the vaccine was administered on January 16. The late decision led to a hectic revaluation of planned sessions for Saturday.

Earlier, the health department had planned for a second dose of vaccination to be administered two days later, February 22. Respective district health officials had planned second dose vaccination accordingly.

However, the health department has stuck with its initial announcement, second dose administration to be administered from February 20. It means that Saturday’s session would have the first dose for frontline workers, a mop round for health workers who have not the first dose, along with the second dose of vaccination for healthcare workers.

Around 3.33 lakh healthcare workers who have been administered are eligible for the second dose. A total of 6.16 lakh people have been vaccinated in MP. It includes around 2.67 lakh frontline workers.

“On Saturday, second dose of vaccination would administered to healthcare workers. Planned vaccination, first shot of vaccination for frontline workers and healthcare workers (mop-up round) would also be undertaken simultaneously,” said a senior MP health department official.

Around 69000 vaccination shots were planned for Friday. Around 15000 received the dose during the day, in 1999 sessions sites across Madhya Pradesh. 18% of target was achieved on Saturday.