Get jab or face action, Punjab health workers warned

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21

The government decision, which amounts to arm-twisting health workers to take Covid shots, has raised eyebrows.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said health workers, who do not get vaccinated despite being given the repeated opportunities and if they get infected at a later stage, will have to bear the cost of their treatment and will not be allowed quarantine/isolation leave. The development is being seen as violation of human rights by experts.

The Health Minister said it was just an appeal issued to the workers in public interest. “The past few days have seen an uprising trend in the number of Covid cases in Punjab and with 358 cases being reported

on February 20, now the state has about 3,000 active cases while there were only 2,000 active cases (33 per cent rise) three weeks back,” he added.

There was a dire need to get vaccinated for all health workers to deal with any unprecedented situation. Punjab was among the six states where cases were rising and they should prepare to fight it, he said.

The rising cases indicated that Covid was not over yet and Punjab might witness a surge in the number of cases. This highlighted the need for following social distancing, wearing of a mask, hand sanitisation and respiratory etiquette, he said.

Urging health workers, he said they should shun hesitancy and come forward to get vaccinated at the earliest for the sake of their own safety and that of their family members and near and dear ones.

“The vaccine is safe and effective and not even a single case of death or any serious adverse effect has reported in Punjab,” he said.