Short on doses, Punjab defers inoculation for 18+

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30

Citing vaccine shortage, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today deferred vaccination for the 18-45 age group, which was slated to begin on Saturday. He said vaccination at private health facilities would also remain suspended from Saturday.

The CM ruled out a complete lockdown for now.

Chairing a virtual emergency meet to review the Covid situation, the Chief Minister said unutilised vaccines had to be returned to the Centre by all private health facilities by Friday evening, these facilities would have no vaccines to administer from tomorrow to those above 45 years of age.

100-bed hospital in Mohali soon

• A prefab 100-bed hospital will come up at Mohali and a 250-bed temporary hospital is being set up near the Bathinda refinery, the CM has said
• He has also urged all departments to be prepared for the peak and identify areas in various districts for establishing temporary hospitals.

Terming vaccine shortage as critical, he said the state had received two lakh doses but it was not sufficient to meet the requirement even for two days for the 45-plus group.

It was informed at the meeting that an order for the procurement of 30 lakh doses of Covishield for the 18-45 group was placed with Serum Institute of India (SII) on April 26, but the state was told that the availability of vaccine would be known in four weeks. Further, the SII had asked the state government to indicate demand for the next three-four months with an advance payment. It had informed the government that vaccines would be delivered in a phased manner every month.

Stating the lockdown was not a solution, the CM directed deputy commissioners of worst-affected districts of Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala and Amritsar to further tighten the micro-containment strategy and ensure 100 per cent testing.

Urging the industry to set up their own Covid treatment centres and makeshift hospitals to treat labourers suffering from mild/moderate infection, he stressed teamwork to fight the pandemic. He also directed the Chief Secretary to encourage retired doctors and nurses, along with final year MBBS students, to join duty in L2/L3 facilities. He also suggested setting up of temporary healthcare facilities in halls/gymnasiums etc.

A prefab 100-bed hospital will come up at Mohali and a 250-bed temporary hospital is being set up near the Bathinda refinery, he said. He urged all departments to be prepared for the peak and identify areas in various districts for establishing temporary hospitals.