For the first phase of Covid-19 vaccination, 18,500 Covid-19 vaccines arrived in Aizawl on Thursday.

The 18,500 doses of Covishield vaccines were airlifted from Delhi via Kolkata to Lengpui Airport, said State immunization officer Dr. Lalzawmi.

A part of the consignment was send off to Lunglei in the southern part of the state under police escort.

A total of 14,607 health workers, including 315 central healthcare workers will receive Covid-19 vaccines in the state, according to Lalzawmi.

Zoram Medical College (ZMC) near Aizawl has been chosen as an additional vaccination site by the state government on being directed by Centre, other than the existing four.

The four vaccination sites selected by the government are Aizawl Civil Hospital, Lunglei Civil Hospital, Kulikawn Sub-District Hospital and Urban Public Health Centre at ITI Veng in Aizawl, where the first roll-out of Covid19 vaccine will be carried.

From 10 am to 5 pm 500 beneficiaries, 100 each in five vaccination sites, will be vaccinated on Saturday, said Lalzawmi.

The first preference will be given to Doctors, nurses, employees of government and private hospitals and ambulance drivers. Two doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be given each after 28 days.

During the first phase of the vaccination drive 8,000 beneficiaries are planned to be covered.