Dr. G Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health, Government of Telangana, has said that plans are afoot to vaccinate 80 lakh people in the State in January. Immunization is expected to start in Telangana around Sankranthi. The first dose will be given to 80 lakh people in 8 to 10 days. After a gap of four weeks, the second shot will be given.

Who are the 80 lakh people who will be given the vaccine in the first phase? Healthcare workers, essential service workers, those above the age of 50 and those below the age of 50 and suffering from co-morbidities like diabetes, BP, etc.

Speaking to NDTV, Rao has said that the new covid vaccine dose will also be stored at 2-8 degrees. After an individual is given the vaccine, he will be asked to wait for 30 minutes so that he or she can be monitored for any adverse effects.

Rajesh Bhushan, the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry, on Tuesday said that adverse events following immunization is a critical issue. "When we undertake a universal immunization program, which has been done for decades, then some adverse effects are seen in children and pregnant women after vaccination," he has been quoted by ANI as saying.