Chandigarh jabs over 68K in week, its 2nd best

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 2

The city has achieved its second-biggest weekly vaccination rate by administering 68,294 doses in the week ending December 31. This is the highest ever since the Covid-19 vaccination started in January 2021.

With this pace of vaccination, 90 per cent eligible population of the city is now fully immunised against Covid-19. The vaccination increased in the wake of curbs imposed by the UT Administration as per which no entry to public places, hotels, public transport, banks and offices was allowed to unvaccinated individuals. From August 14 to August 20, as many as 72,741 doses were administered in Chandigarh, the highest number of weekly doses so far.

Consequently, more than 10,000 doses are being administered daily in Chandigarh and many among the takers are those who had their second dose due. Even now, Chandigarh has 1,56,142 beneficiaries who have missed their second dose.

The Director, Health Services, Dr Suman Singh, said, “The vaccination rate is satisfactory these days as many people who had their second dose due have turned up. This is our only guard against Covid-19 and the imminent surge. Vaccination is going to protect us from the severity of the disease and hospitalisation even after getting infected with Covid. For those who have missed their second dose, they must get it as soon as possible.”

The Health Department has added 20 teams for vaccination.

17,000 doses in private facilities lying unused

About 17,000 doses of Covishield are available with private health facilities in the city. It is unlikely that these can be utilised by the private health facilities before its expiry date in the next three-four months. To avoid any wastage of the vaccine, the UT will consider replacing these doses with a fresh stock available with the UT Administration and thereafter the doses nearer to expiry dates will be utilised on priority.