Amarinder Singh to get first Covid-19 vaccine shot in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh will be administered the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine in the state, once it is cleared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He made the announcement at the virtual cabinet meeting to discuss the Covid situation and preparedness for the vaccine rollout.
In line with the Centre’s strategy for vaccination, Punjab has prioritised healthcare workers, frontline workers, the elderly population (over 50 years of age), and people with co-morbidities (below 50), the meeting was informed.

According to Punjab health secretary Hussan Lal, the state has compiled data of 1.25 lakh government and private healthcare workers to be vaccinated in the first phase. Approximately 23% (70 lakh) of the state’s population, estimated at around 3 crore, will be vaccinated as per the Centre’s guidelines on vaccine prioritisation, he added.
To ensure seamless rollout of the vaccination, the state steering committee is coordinating closely with the national steering committee, while the state task force will work in tandem with the district and block-level task force committees for the same. Organisations like WHO, UNDP and others are working as developmental partners in the process.
Following a review of the available facilities, the state has requested the Centre for certain additional cold chain equipment, including vaccine vans, deep freezers, ice-lined refrigerators, cold boxes, vaccine carriers, ice packs, thermometers and stabilisers.
BOX:
604 cases, 24 deaths in Punjab
Punjab reported 604 fresh cases of Covid and 24 deaths on Wednesday. While five deaths were reported in Mohali, three each were in Bathinda and Jalandhar, two each in Patiala.
Himachal Pradesh reports 11 deaths, 633 cases
Himachal Pradesh reported 11 Covid-19 deaths and 633 positive cases on Wednesday while 1,027 patients recovered. The state has 41,860 positive cases of which 7,813 are active, 33,336 patients have recovered, 663 have died Total 5,43,120 persons have been tested in HP till Wednesday.