Covid: Sanitation staff, pharmacists may be on 1st vax list

NEW DELHI: Amid speculation whether sanitation workers and pharmacists will be considered for vaccination against Covid-19 in the initial phase, the government has started working to include them in the 'priority' population after PM Modi lauded theirs efforts as 'frontline' corona warriors during his speech on Thursday while laying the foundation for AIIMS, Rajkot.


The government aims to inoculate 30 crore people in the first phase of Covid-vaccination which includes around 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers. Apart from doctors, nurses, ANMs and ASHAs, the plan was to include some of the allied health professionals such as those working in diagnostic labs and pharmacists. Besides, sanitation workers, scavengers and ambulance operators are also being considered to get the vaccine in the first phase.


While some of the categories lacked clarity, the mention of sanitation workers and pharmacists by the PM has stressed upon the need to include these people in the list on priority, an official said.

The list of 'priority' population also includes people above 50 years of age and those below 50 years but with serious co-morbidities. The PM on Thursday also cautioned people against any rumours about vaccination.

"Different people for their vested interests or due to irresponsible behaviour spread various rumours. May be rumours will be spread when vaccination begins, some have already begun," he said, asking people to be careful about such rumours and as responsible citizens refrain from forwarding such messages on social media without checking.