As Punjab runs out of vaccine, CM asks Centre to send more to cover eligible population
With the state running out of COVID-19 vaccines, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has reiterated the demand for the supply of more vaccines by the Centre to vaccinate the entire 18-45 population to complete the COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible persons in the next two months.
Even as he ordered the opening of the COVID-19 vaccination to the entire population in the 18-45 age group, subject to availability, Captain Amarinder Singh said that the efforts would remain focused on covering the categories prioritised earlier.
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His government had set a target to immunize all eligible in two months, followed by the second COVID-19 vaccine dose as per schedule, he added. Currently, 4.8 percent of Punjab’s eligible population is fully vaccinated, with Mohali leading the chart in both one and two doses.
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Taking stock of the vaccination progress and status in Punjab at a Covid review virtual meeting, Captain Amarinder Singh noted that the state government had already vaccinated more than 62 lakh eligible persons and had been utilizing the stock without any wastage.
However, he noted, that there is a gross shortage of vaccines, with no stock of Covishield in the state as of Tuesday, and only a small stock of Covaxin available.
Pointing out that the state had been repeatedly taking up the issue of inadequate doses with the Government of India, Captain Amarinder said this has assumed critical importance as Punjab has slowly been opening up sectors conditional to stakeholders having taken at least one dose.
He said he will take up the matter again with the Union Health Minister on an urgent basis, and escalate it to the Prime Minister if needed.
-PTC News
