Aizawl, May 14 (PTI) The Mizoram government will launch its vaccination drive for people in the age group of 18 to 44 years from May 17, an official said on Friday.

State health secretary Lalramnghaka told PTI that priority would be given to vulnerable sections and people who are at greater risk of contracting the disease such as cooking gas distributors, public transport drivers, employees of power and public health engineering departments, journalists and the ones working at post offices, pharmacies, banks and airport.

He, however, clarified that not all beneficiaries would immediately receive the vaccine owing to its shortage.

According to the health secretary, a consignment 16,340 doses of Covishield arrived in the state on Thursday.

The number of beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years is estimated to be around 5.1 lakh.

Lalramnghaka further said that the government has already placed order for more than 10 lakh vials.

According to the state health department, as many as 2,31,589 people have been administered Covishield vaccine until Thursday.

Of that, 51,744 people have received both the doses, it said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)