Mysore/Mysuru: Titular head of the erstwhile Mysore royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has opined that vaccination was the only weapon presently available to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He was speaking after inaugurating a free vaccination drive for people in the age group of 18 years to 44 years at JSS Public School in Siddarthanagar here yesterday. The drive was launched with the vaccination of  N. Harshita and Pooja Singh by a nurse.

Yaduveer said that the fear of second wave of COVID-19 was still in front of their eyes and added that everyone must join hands together to check the spread of pandemic. “Vaccination is the only safe option available now to fight against the virus and citizens must get vaccinated at the earliest to protect themselves from the contagion,” he said.

He said that Mysuru has contributed a lot for the promotion of yoga and the city has a special bonding with it. Of late, yoga was seen as a modern lifestyle. In fact, this helps in maintaining both the mental and physical health in the current situation, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham said they have two options before them, first one is getting COVID test done and the second one is getting vaccinated. It was heartening to note that the vaccination drive had been taken on a big scale in K.R. Constituency for more coverage of people. Steps will be taken for vaccinating every person in the district, he added.

Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy complimented MLA Ramdas for holding a mega COVID-19 testing camp in all polling booths in his Constituency for early detection and treatment of patients. Similarly, a vaccination drive was organised for the inoculation of 18 years plus category population. The vaccination drive will be extended to all the 65 wards in City depending upon the availability of vaccine.

Earlier, in his introductory speech, Ramdas said that as many as 62,000 persons have got tested in seven PHCs in his Constituency and 47,000 people have been vaccinated. The citizens had been asked to register their names for vaccination on June 16 and 17 and a record number of people had registered for free vaccination. “We have plans to vaccinate all the people in my Constituency before June 30,” he added.

MUDA Chairman H.V. Rajeev said that people were scared in the current second wave of pandemic and it was happy to note that a special drive had been launched. Many families lost its bread earners due to COVID-19, he added.

Raghupati Bhat, an international Ganjifa artist, Corporators Dr. Roopa and B.V. Manjunath, corporators, BJP K.R. Constituency President M. Vadivelu, General Secretary J. Nagendrakumar, Srinivas, M.P. Rajesh, Noor Fatima and others were present.