In violation of norms, beneficiaries below 45 yrs get vaccinated

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 10

Disregarding directions of the state government and despite shortage of vaccine for deserving beneficiaries, the Health Department is stated to have inoculated many ineligible persons. It has been learnt that many youngsters, who are associated with a political party, got vaccinated despite the fact that their turn was yet to come.

Notably, the inoculation of 45 years and below age group is yet to rollout in the state. In one such instance, a 33-year-old Municipal Councillor owing allegiance to the Congress got vaccinated against Covid. Most instances of violations have been reported at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Tripuri.

Ironically, all these youngsters were vaccinated when 45 years and above eligible beneficiaries were turned back from the vaccination centre owing to the shortage of doses.

One eligible beneficiary said, “As always, position of a person is above all rules here.”

When asked about the anomaly, the Patiala Civil Surgeon said, “Councillors come under frontline workers as they are public representatives. I am not aware of other ineligible beneficiaries getting vaccinated. Today, we will start vaccination of registered construction workers, who are above 18 years.”

It is a known fact that the government, both Centre and the state, have not declared Municipal Councillors as frontline workers.

Meanwhile, the District Immunisation Officer, Dr Venu Goyal, said, “We will check the list of vaccinated beneficiaries. I am not aware of any such incident. However, I will look into the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Medical Officer, Dr Vikas Goyal, said, “The said youngsters have been vaccinated as they brought duly singed employment form meant for frontline and healthcare workers.”