THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers will take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Health Minister K K Shailaja said the procedures for it will be completed soon and will receive the vaccine. She said the state is ready for vaccination and more centres are needed for it.

The private sector will also be used in the vaccination process. The Prime Minister receiving the vaccine is a happy thing. We were ready to receive the vaccine. A Prime Minister's meeting had directed that representatives need not take vaccine along with health workers and they can take it when their turn comes. That is why we did not take the dose, she said.

‘I wanted to take the vaccine first as minister of health so that no one else would hesitate to receive the vaccine. I am just waiting for my turn’, she added.

The second phase of Covid inoculation drive which started in the country today is progressing. People above 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities will take the shots. The second phase started aiming to vaccinate more than 10 crore people.

For those who are not able to register themselves, arrangements have been made for them to register at the vaccination centres there. Private hospitals charge Rs 250 for the vaccine given free by the government.