50% vaccination capacity unutilised at tricity sites

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 17

Even as Covid cases are rising sporadically in the region, at least 50 per cent capacity of vaccination centres in the tricity remains unutilised.

According to the official Co-Win portal, there are 56 sites conducting vaccination sessions in Chandigarh with a capacity of 8,000-10,000 jabs a day. More than 65 vaccination sessions are being held in the city but the turnout is only over 4,000.

Dr Amandeep Kaur Kang, Director Health Services, Chandigarh, said: “We have a capacity to vaccinate from 8,000 to 10,000 beneficiaries at various vaccination sites. The centres remain underutilised as the turnout is still low. Though people have started coming again as the cases are rising. Eligible groups are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible to fight the serious illness caused by Covid.”

Recently, UT Adviser Manoj Parida had asked resident welfare associations to “name & shame” those who did not take vaccine.

Panchkula has administered 1,17,134 vaccine doses. While 99,662 beneficiaries have got their first dose, 17,472 have completed their two-dose vaccination. There are 34 sites where vaccination sessions are held.

The Chief Medical Officer of Panchkula district, Dr Jasjit Kaur, said: “We have permanent sites and we are changing our locations to offices and market areas for vaccination. We have a capacity to vaccinate 10,000 beneficiaries per day with teams available and requisite arrangements. We are vaccinating 3,000 beneficiaries per day and sometimes the number crosses 5,000 per day during campaigns.

Citing reasons for low coverage, Dr Jasjit Kaur said two parallel activities were going on at the moment, including vaccination and management of Covid-19. “The responsibility of vaccination cannot be entrusted to students or ad hoc employees, as healthcare workers are engaged in Covid duties,” Dr Jasjit Kaur added.

“From Monday, we are going to engage MBBS students and some staff at vaccination centres to carry out inoculation drive more efficiently,” Dr Jasjit Kaur said.

“At the same time, people should come forward for vaccination,” Dr Jasjit Kaur added.

There are 105 centres, including 50 vaccination centres in private hospitals in three subdivisions of Mohali, Kharar and Dera Bassi in Mohali district. Besides, there are more than 40 outreach teams and each centre has a capacity to carry out about 100 vaccinations on a single day.

Against its capacity of 10,000, Mohali is able to vaccinate more than 6,000 beneficiaries each day. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Adarshpal Kaur, said they were giving jabs to as many people, who voluntary come forward for vaccination against Covid.