Youngsters get a shot in the arm, 93% show up

Chandigarh, May 14

Youngsters turned up in huge numbers today at the vaccination centres to receive their first jab of the Covid-19 vaccine. The day saw a high turnout of 93 per cent of those who had registered for the jab today in the 18 to 44 age group.

No walk-ins allowed

The drive received a very good response. Only pre-booked appointment- based vaccinations took place. No walk-ins were allowed.— Dr Amandeep Kang, DHS, UT

Dr Amandeep Kang, Director, Health Services (DHS), UT, said, “The UT Administration launched the vaccination drive for 18 plus today. We received a very good response and only pre-booked appointment based-vaccinations took place. There were 1,000 appointment slots and 929 got vaccinated. There were 61 people who missed their appointment due to personal reasons. No walk-ins were allowed. Proper social distancing was ensured by the vaccination centres by managing the crowd and the vaccination process went on smoothly.”

Dr Kang said, “The response in the 18 to 44 age group was heartening as all young people were calm, followed social distancing and wore masks. There were no arguments.”

A few centres were dotted with long queues as beneficiaries turned up in the first slot, which started at 9 am.

Amarinder Singh, a resident, said, “People were not uniformly divided for the slots for the day. My number was 72 in the 9 to 10 am slot. There was a long queue after me. There must have been 100 people in that slot. The waiting area was changed when they saw the rush.”

Mohit Gupta, another resident, said, “I went to a school in Mani Majra. The experience was good because in a hospital, there is routine rush and social distancing is difficult to maintain. Space is not an issue in schools.”

Aman Aloon, another resident, said, “By and large, it was managed well at the GMSH-16, except for the fact that around 25 of us were huddled in a tiny AC room. On raising this medical negligence with the staff, I was allowed to sit outside.”

Sunila, a mother, said, “I took my daughter for vaccination at the GMSH. Doctors, nurses and security guards ensured proper social distancing and hygiene there.”

84-day gap must between 2 doses

In line with the Central Government guidelines, people who are waiting to get the second dose after a gap of 45 days will not be vaccinated now as the gap has been extended to 84 days, said Dr Amandeep Kang. She said Cowin will not accept those with less than an 84-day gap between the two doses from Saturday. — TNS

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