Gurez, Jan 14 (KNO): Braving extreme cold conditions and snowfall in Gurez valley of northern Kashmir, more than 700 children between the age group of 15 to 18 years received their Covid vaccination dose in the schools and other centres set-up by the health department.
Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that despite harsh weather and heavy snowfall in Gurez valley, healthcare workers of medical block Gurez are carrying out COVID-19 vaccinations between the age group of 15 to 18 year with 700 out of 2205 children having been vaccinated so far.
"Over the past few days, Gurez valley in Bandipora has seen heavy snowfall while the minimum temperatures plummeted, but still our medical staff continued their work. However, during the snow, we are facing many difficulties in performing our duties,” they said.
Officials said that the health care workers are on ground since 3rd January to make sure everyone who needed a vaccine got one.
"We had a bit of trouble when we were preparing young children for vaccinations. But later it became easier for us when we started counselling them about COVID-19,” they said, adding that walking on the snowy mountains to reach the nearby government school to vaccinate teenagers was also a big task for us.
BMO Gurez, Dr Tahira praised health workers for impeccable arrangements made in the ongoing vaccination drive in such a remote area despite limited connectivity and harsh weather conditions.
"I myself have done vaccination work in the field and I was going wherever I was needed. Even our teams walked many kilometres in snow to vaccinate children in their schools at Tulail,” she said, adding that the remaining vaccination target will be completed in the coming days—(KNO)
