Studentswanting to go abroad for studies from Punjab will now be prioritised in thevaccination process for the 18-45 group, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singhannounced on Monday.
Ata high-level virtual Covid review meeting, the Chief Minister directed theHealth and Medical Education departments to allow districts to use up to 10% ofthe doses for 18-45 group for priority categories other than those approved atstate level. Besides students seeking to go abroad, caregivers of elderlypersons and other urgent priority groups may be included in this list, headded.
CaptainAmarinder also asked the concerned departments to proactively vaccinate allpersons in the categories already prioritised by the state government in thisage group, based on vaccine availability. This, he stressed, was essential tokeep the risk of spread low as the restrictions are eased in the state.
Thestate had initially prioritised construction labour, co-morbid individuals andfamilies of healthcare workers in in the 18-45 age group, and has alreadyvaccinated over 4.3 lakh individuals in these categories.
The list was subsequently expanded to includeShopkeepers and their staff; Staff working in the Hospitality industry (hotels,restaurants, marriage palaces, caterers), including cooks, bearers etc; Industrialworkers; Rehri walahs, other street vendors especially those serving fooditems-juice, chat, fruit etc., Delivery boys, LPG distribution boys; Busdrivers, conductors, auto/ cab drivers; and Local body leaders - mayors,councillors, sarpanches, panches.