Vax stock of Amritsar replenished,18-plus construction workers to get jab first

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 8

Facing shortage of Covid-19 vaccines for the past many few days, the district on Saturday received a fresh supply of vaccines, confirmed district health officials here. The district has received a total of 8,000 injections.

The existing stock of the vaccines was completely exhausted on Saturday afternoon and the vaccination process had to be halted. With the fresh supply, the Health Department would be able to resume the vaccination drive.

The district is also set to launch vaccination for 18-44 years of age from Monday. However, the vaccination would still not be available for all residents in the age group as the existing supply is not sufficient to sustain the drive for long.

The officials stated in the beginning that the injection would be available only for high risk and vulnerable categories on priority. The health officials stated that the construction workers would be given the vaccine as a part of the drive on Monday. They stated that details of the immunisation launch for 18-44 age group are still being worked out and would be finalised soon.

Residents had been complaining of shortage of Covid-19 vaccination for last almost 10 days. Huge rush of residents for the injections at vaccination centres across the district is seen almost everyday. While some manage to get the dose, others have to return without getting the injection. Even on Saturday, the existing stock at vaccination centres could last only till noon and many who were standing in the queues had to return.

While the Centre had announced to start vaccination for young population from May 1, the state government had delayed the drive citing shortage of vaccines. Even now, as the government has decided to give injections to vulnerable and high risk categories, rest of the residents would have to wait.