Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 6

After the state government scrapped the sale of Covaxin vaccination at higher prices to private hospitals in the district, the vaccination of the 18-44 age group has been suspended at all private hospitals in Jalandhar.

Meanwhile, 10 private hospitals, which were to carry out vaccination, sent their vaccine doses back on Saturday. Those aged between 18 and 44 years would now have to wait for some more days before vaccine doses arrive in the district.

The Health Department said the vaccination of above 45 beneficiaries continued at 80 session sites. Besides, the vaccination of health workers, frontline workers and government employees under 45 is also being carried out.

However, the vaccination of above 18 remains suspended until at least June 10 after which the doses are expected to arrive in the district.

Those who had applied for vaccination, they would have to re-register again. The vaccination of the 18-44 age group is now available only at three session sites - HMV, KMV and Lyallpur Khalsa College for Rs 543 as announced by the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner.

While nearly 3,000 people were vaccinated in Jalandhar on Saturday, as many as 6,000 were vaccinated on Friday. The session sites in the district are also flooded with queries about the 18 plus category. Sources said: “The majority of queries we receive at the Civil Hospital site is regarding 18 plus vaccines. But we have to turn people away because at present only 45 plus are being vaccinated there. There were only 90 beneficiaries reporting for the above 45 category jab on Saturday.”

District Immunisation officer Dr Rakesh Chopra said, “At present, we have 6,390 doses of Covishield and 5,620 doses of Covaxin with us. The drive for above 18 plus has been suspended everywhere except the three session sites announced by the DC and one private hospital, which independently procured it. The 18 plus vaccination will begin after June 10 when the vaccination is expected to arrive. At present, jabs are being administered to above 45-plus at 80 session sites.”