Day 4: 84% get jab in Panchkula

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 20

With only 84 health workers turning up at Alchemist Hospital, the vaccination site, the health administration fell short to achieve the 100 per cent vaccination target for the fourth consecutive time.

• Also read: PGI to use only one of five sites in Chandigarh

The authorities had a target of vaccinating 100 persons today. In view of the gazetted holiday to mark Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, only one immunisation session was organised at the private hospital. There was no report of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) at the site and 66 minor reactions have come to the fore till date.

So far, only 797 healthcare workers have received the first dose of Covishield vaccine.

As many as 6,219 — 3,541 government employees and 2,678 private professionals — are being prioritised in the first phase of the vaccination.

The overall vaccination coverage stands at 64.7 per cent.

If the vaccination drive continues at the current pace (almost 200 a day), it will take 30-odd days to cover over 6,200 targeted healthcare workers.

The authorities said the number was less as many health officials were adopting a “wait and watch” approach before getting the vaccine. However, they said, the number would increase in the coming days.

On the slow pace of vaccination, Immunisation Officer Meenu Sasan said they would increase the vaccination sites on Friday and motivate the beneficiaries. “Class IV employees are a bit reluctant. The media representation of the vaccination plays a greater role in motivating them to take the vaccine,” said Sasan.