The Punjab government on Tuesday flagged shortage of vaccines claiming that it had run out of Covishield doses and was left with just over a lakh Covaxin stock.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reiterated the demand for supply of more vaccines by the Centre to vaccinate the population between 18 and 45 years of age, to complete the vaccination of all eligible persons in the next two months.
Even as he ordered opening of the vaccination to the entire population in 18-45 age group, subject to availability, the CM said the efforts would remain focused on covering the categories prioritised earlier. His government had set a target to immunise all eligible in two months, followed by the second vaccine dose as per schedule, he added. Currently, 4.8% of Punjab’s eligible population is fully vaccinated, with Mohali leading the chart in both one and two doses.
Chief Minister claimed the state government had already vaccinated more than 62 lakh eligible persons and had been utilising the stock without any wastage. However, he noted, that there is a gross shortage of vaccines, with no stock of Covishield in the state as of today, and only a small stock of Covaxin available.
Pointing out that the state had been repeatedly taking up the issue of inadequate doses with Government of India, Captain Amarinder said this has assumed critical importance as Punjab has slowly been opening up sectors conditional to stakeholders having taken at least one dose. He said he will take up the matter again with the Union Health Minister on urgent basis, and escalate it to the Prime Minister if needed.
Health Minister Balbir Sidhu questioned the larger number of doses received from the Centre by BJP-ruled states like Haryana and Gujarat.
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