Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh onThursday announced that vaccination in age group of 18-45 years across theState would start from May 1, and it would be ensured that every needy personreceives the vaccine free of cost.
In view of the limited supplies of the vaccineexpected initially, the Chief Minister constituted an Expert group , comprisingeminent virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang, Dr Jacob John Professor of CommunityHealth at CMC in Vellore and Dr Rajesh Kumar former Head School of PublicHealth PGIMER in Chandigarh to suggest prioritisation in the 18-45 age group.
Chairing a high level meeting to review theprevailing Covid-19 situation in the state, the Chief Minister tasked theexpert group to chalk out a vaccination strategy and submit a detailed plan tothe state government within a week to meet the challenge in the midst of theunprecedented Covid pandemic in the state.
Eminent virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang, whoattended the meeting as a special invitee, emphasised the need to have a properstrategy to combat the current second wave of Covid, with geographicalsaturation in high case load cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar,Mohali, and Patiala besides prioritisation on the basis of medical need(serious comorbidity) and on the basis of professional groups such as teachers.
The Chief Minister was informed that the statehas received 4 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine from the Centre today. Asthese were likely to last the state for only 3 or 4 more days as per the paceof the ongoing vaccination drive, he asked the Health department to vigorouslypursue with the Union Government for ensuring requisite supply of moreCovishield vaccine besides getting requisite stock of Covaxin doses as well.
Referring to the reports of black marketing ofanti-viral drugs like Remdesivir and Tocilizumab in the country, the ChiefMinister said the experts have given clear protocols on the use of suchmedicines, which must be duly publicised and followed in right earnest. Health Adviser Dr KK Talwar, referred to theWorld Health Organisation (WHO) studies have shown that Remdesivir may not haveany impact on the mortality due to Covid. Further, there were alternatives forTocilizumab and such information is being regularly shared in the expert groupof doctors.
Captain Amarinder directed that the stateshould, however, continue to procure such drugs for patients who may benefitfrom their use, and provide the same to the government hospitals and alsosupport the private hospitals, as was already being done.