New Delhi: As Coronavirus vaccination drive will be commencing in the country from January 16th, 89 sites have been selected for the first phase of vaccination, Delhi health minister, Satyendar Jain informed on Sunday.
Over 5,000 sites have been set up in the country for the drive. Every site will be having 8-10 staff members assigned.
Jain said, "We were prepared with 1,000 sites, but as per the centre's order we have set up 89 sites for the first phase. This includes 36 government hospitals and 53 private hospitals."
In the first phase vaccine will be provided only to the healthcare and front line workers. 2 lakh and 25 thousand health workers have already been registered. Jain also said that even though teachers have been included under the front line workers, it wont make much difference in the number of people to be vaccinated in the first phase.
Meanwhile, the minister also said that sufficient preparation have been done for the drive and they are now waiting for the vaccine to arrive, which is expected on January 12th -13th.
When asked about free vaccination, Jain added that centre should provide free vaccination and he had also asked the same to the centre in a recent video conference.
Jain said, "But no decision has been yet made by the centre."
Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had tweeted requesting the centre to provide nation wide free COVID vaccination.
Also read: Modi to discuss vaccination drive with chief ministers on Monday