Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said that the State Government has written to the Centre to have public representatives including MPs and MLAs listed among the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination once it begins.
The Health Minister said the State Government is making all preparations in terms of building a database of priority groups, cold chain infrastructure, identification and training of vaccinators for rolling out vaccination for COVID-19.
He said, “The frontline warriors such as doctors, nurses, paramedics among others are on the priority list for vaccinations. The state Health Department has written to the Union Health Ministry recommending that public representatives who come into contact with masses during their work also be included in the list.”
Notably, the Haryana Assembly has 90 members, and the state sends 10 members to Lok Sabha and five to Rajya Sabha.
Earlier, the Union Health Ministry had asked states to submit lists of priority populations who are to receive COVID-19 vaccine first. The priority population are categorised as those who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Noting that it is natural to prioritise the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had earlier said healthcare workers and people aged above 65 would be given priority.