Panchkula defers rollout of Covid vaccination for 18+ to May 3

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, April 30

The district authorities have deferred the rollout of the next phase of vaccination for all adults to May 3 citing a short supply of vaccines against coronavirus. Earlier, those above the age of 18 were to get the vaccine from May 1.

The Health Department has also announced suspension of the vaccination programme for 45-plus on Saturday and Sunday in view of the weekend lockdown imposed in the district.

Dr Meenu Sasan, District Immunisation Officer, said, “We are in a regular touch with state government officials regarding the issue. The stock for 18-plus will arrive by tomorrow evening. The driver will begin by May 3.”

Virus transmission worry at vax centres

The district is already struggling to meet the current demand of the vaccine for beneficiaries above the age of 45 due to its inadequate supply.

Citizens have expressed their worry over a chaos being witnessed at vaccination centres every day due to a “limited stock of vaccine”. They said huge crowds at vaccination centres could lead to the transmission of the virus.

SK Nayar, president of a residents’ body, said his son went to the Sector 12-A community centre to get his second shot but was turned away. “The stock had got over within 15 minutes of the distribution of tokens. He then visited the Sector 4 MDC dispensary where the scene was scary. At least 200 people had gathered there for the vaccine. Crowded vaccination centres can become super-spreaders. There should be an end to the misery,’’ he said.

KK Jindal, president of the Sector 20 RWA, has requested the Health Department to restart vaccination at the Sector 20 dispensary. The vaccination at the dispensary and other centres across urban Panchkula is not being held for the past many days due to “limited” supply.