Punjab short of supply, vaccination pace slackens

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 2

Amid the surge in Covid cases in Punjab, the state government claims to be struggling with acute shortage of vaccine doses. The number of doses administered last month showed a downward curve.

Last week (April 25 to May 1), 5.18 lakh doses were administered by the health department —- nearly 25 per cent less than what was given a month ago. Health officials say that due to shortage of supply, the state does not have any doses to supply to hospitals tomorrow.

Since the vaccination was opened for the general public above the age of 45 years, the number of administered doses should have increased instead of decreasing, say experts. The shortage has resulted in a large number of people being turned away from vaccination centres.

Going by the current pace, it may take a complete year to vaccinate the state’s population, the experts add.

Dr GB Singh, Director, Health and Family Welfare, said in a day or two around 6.16 lakh doses would be sent by the Central government which would last 15 days. “However, as of now, not a single dose is left in the stock to distribute to district headquarters,” he added.

Dip in coverage

Week Doses

• April 25 to May 1 5.18 lakh
• April 18 to 24 5.60 lakh
• April 11 to 17 6.55 lakh
• April 4 to 10 6.6 lakh

Vaccination so far

• 6.7 lakh frontline workers given first dose, 1.9 lakh the second
• 23.4 lakh in 45 plus group get first dose, 2.2L second
• 35 lakh vaccine doses administered in state so far