Kerala: On Friday, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan ordered strict action against private hospitals flouting norms to provide Covid-19 vaccination for relatives and friends. Everyone has to follow the orders well. If anyone violates the rules, then the police will take strict actions against them. The CMO informed, “The CM has directed District Collectors and Police to take strict action against private hospitals flouting vaccination norms to provide vaccination for the relatives and friends. Such acts are unwarranted and those behind it will have to face the consequences”.

The State Health Minister, KK Shailaja had issued new guidelines on Thursday. According to the guidelines, preference will be given to those taking the second jab of Covid-19 vaccine. The Ministry said, “There is no need to rush to Covid vaccination centres for this. The second dose of the Covishield vaccine should be taken within 6-8 weeks and the Covaxin within 4-6 weeks. The list of those eligible to receive the second dose of vaccine at each vaccination center will be available on the CoWIN portal”.

On Wednesday, the CM declared that the state government will order 1 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses and also called for a change in the vaccination policy and pricing. Kerala reported 38,607 new Covid cases and 48 deaths on Thursday. The death toll reached 5,259.