Chennai, Jan 16 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Saturday launched the Covid-19 vaccination drive in the state at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Health Minister C.Vijayabaskar and others were also present at the venue.

The first vaccine shot was given to a doctor in Government Rajaji Hospital.

In Tamil Nadu, the immunization exercise will be performed at 166 centres -- government and private hospitals.

Both the vaccines -- Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech -- will be used in the state.

According to officials, the first consignment of 536,500 doses of Covishied has already reached the state.

A total of 100 persons will be vaccinated at each centre.

Till Friday, a total of 8,29,573 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state. A total of 12,251 persons have lost their lives due to the virus.