Jalandhar, May 22

The district administration has failed to evolve a system to check crowding at vaccination centres, earmarked for the 18-44 age group, at various locations in the city.

Almost all the centres, especially IMA House, Parvati Jain School and the Radha Soami Satsang Beas centre at Pathankot Chowk, are witnessing crowds of beneficiaries daily. Most of the beneficiaries have to stand in the queue for hours waiting for their turn to get the jab. Some of them return disappointed after having nasty verbal duel with authorities.

Since vaccine stocks are being received in small numbers by health authorities daily, residents are getting impatient. As the vaccination programme is not open for everyone in the 18-44 age group in Punjab and is being administered only to specific groups, including those with disabilities, co-morbidities, kin of health workers, scribes and construction workers. But still everyone in the age group is taking the dose.

Parvati Jain School, which had received just 200 doses of the vaccine, saw almost double the amount of people queuing up today ignoring even the social distancing norms. The health teams said they repeatedly told everyone that they should return as there were not enough doses, but no one listened to them. Police help would have to be sought daily, said staff.

Sujan Singh from Mohan Vihar locality suggested that there should be a proper display system outside the centres.

Dr Rakesh Chopra, District Immunology Officer, said, “So far, there is no system of prior online registration which is why there has been crowding at the centres. People need to understand that everyone will get a chance and need to keep some patience. Crowds cannot be controlled even if we put up a display system.” — TNS