KOCHI: The first consignment of 4,33,500 doses of Covishield vaccine from Serum Institute of India, reached Nedumbassery Airport in Kochi. It will be carried in a special frozen vehicle to regional vaccine store of Ernakulam General Hospital. The vaccine will take place at 133 centres across the state.

The vaccine was brought out of the airport through gate number four. It will be taken to other districts by noon. Many including BJP district chief received by garlanded the vehicles carrying the vaccine.

1,33,500 dose Covishield vaccine reached Kerala. Ten boxes of vaccine will be taken to Kozhikode by road. Heavy police security has been arranged. The flight with the second consignment of vaccine will reach Thiruvananthapuram at 6 pm today.

Vaccination will start on January 16. The vaccine from regional stores will be brought to 133 vaccination centres in special vehicles. In the first phase, the vaccine will be given to health workers. A total of 3,62,870 health workers have registered for vaccination in the first phase. They include 1,70,259 health care workers in the public sector and 1,92,611 in the private sector. There will be webcasting in all centres. 100 people will be vaccinated in a day at the centre.