Fatehgarh Sahib, June 3

Due to shortage of the vaccine, particularly for the 18 to 44 age group, students, employees and those working in the private sector are running from pillar to post to get vaccinated.

To add to their woes all the vaccination centres being run from the Civil Hospital and community health centres in the district have been closed without informing the public.

People are asking Health Department officials but there is no one to guide them.

A large number of people have been making calls to mediapersons to know about the availability of the vaccine and about the new vaccination centres.

When contacted, Dr Kuldeep Singh, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, said the vaccination centre at the hospital had been closed as per the government directions and shifted to Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Dr Singh said he had requested the Principal to give them two separate rooms for the purpose and he had agreed. “So now the vaccination will be initiated there,” he informed.

Dr Singh said the government had directed that the vaccination centres should be shifted out of civil hospitals to stop the spread of Covid.

He also said they were short of the vaccine for the 18 plus.

Civil Surgeon Dr Mohinder Singh, meanwhile, said: “There is no shortage of vaccine. Media is habitual of creating a hype.”

District Immunisation Officer Dr Rajesh informed that the vaccine for the 45 plus comes from the Centre while the vaccine for 18 plus comes from the state government.

When asked about vaccination for people from rural areas, he said: “They will be vaccinated in Anganwadi centres, gurdwaras or some common place.” — OC