Panaji, Jul 1 (IANS): More than eight lakh out of the 10.75 lakh persons eligible for Covid vaccination in Goa have been administered the first dose, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.

He further said that prevention and control of the impending third wave of the pandemic in Goa is dependent on appropriate social behaviour, awareness and vaccination.

Speaking at a function organised here to felicitate health care professionals, Sawant also said that only few of the 50,000 odd persons who were eligible for the second dose had turned up for the follow-up jab so far.

"Out of the 10.75 lakh persons eligible for the vaccination in Goa, around 8 lakh have taken the first dose. Our target is to complete 100 per cent coverage of the first jab by July 30," Sawant said.

"If a person does not take a jab, there is risk to people around him or her. Irrespective of caste and creed, we will have to explain to everyone that taking the vaccine is imperative," Sawant said.

"More than 50,000 people who have taken the first jab have completed 84 days, but they have not turned up for the second dose yet," Sawant also said.

Commenting on the ongoing preparation for the impending third wave of the pandemic, the Chief Minister also said that the government had taken steps to train human resources, raise infrastructure and procure required medication to combat it, but added that societal response was critical to combat the third wave.

"As a government, we are taking precautions that we will not fall short anywhere in dealing with the third wave. We have trained human resources, purchased equipment and created infrastructure. Now it is the responsibility of the people to ensure that we deal with it by adopting proper social behaviour and vaccination," Sawant said.