Elderly couple dispels jab fears

Barnala, April 19

Amid rumors about authenticity of the vaccine, a nonagenarian couple — Surjit Kaur (96) from Gugga Madhi and Krishan Singh (92) — got the jab at a camp organised at the Municipal Council Office, Tapa.

It has given a push to the drive as many are seeking inspiration from them. Senior officers said the campaign against Covid had been going on in full swing in Barnala and senior citizens were volunteering to get vaccinated.

“Vaccination is must to prevent this disease and people should follow the instructions of the government,” said Surjit, who could not walk properly and was given the jab and honoured in the auto rickshaw in which she had reached the camp. Krishan said they were fine and people should come forward to get vaccinated.

Barnala SDM Varjeet Walia honoured the couple and the health department team. Barnala DC Tej Partap Singh Phoolka said: “So far, 31,293 doses of vaccine have been administered.”

He said senior citizens had responded well. He appealed to all people above 45 years to get vaccinated. He said vaccination camps were being held regularly at the district’s grain markets amid ongoing procurement season. Farmers, arhtiyas, labourers and other stakeholders are being vaccinated, he said. “The health department has been organising camps at five market committees — Barnala, Tapa, Dhanaula, Bhadaur and Mehal Kalan. Camps have also been organised in market committee office of Barnala also,” he added. — TNS