Manmeet Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 29

Though registration of citizens in the age group of 18 years to 44 years have begun for being inoculated from May 1, insiders in the Health Department said the drive may get delayed due to shortage of vaccine. Sources in the department said they were still waiting for the guidelines from the government in this regard. The Central Government had announced to start the pan-India drive from May 1. With only two days left for the drive to commence, officials said clarity regarding the drive would come with the government issuing specific instructions. While the Centre has asked states to finance the vaccination drive, the latter have been expecting some financial assistance from the former. “In all these circumstances, the scheduled start might get delayed,” said an official. Meanwhile, District Immunisation Officer Dr Sukhpal Singh said, “We are making preparations for May 1 on a war footing. We will soon receive the precise guidelines and drive will begin as planned,” he said.