Punjab Govt to Explore Possibility of Procuring Covid-19 Vaccines from Global Sources
According to the central government's vaccine allocation for phase III (18-44 age group), the state government has been able to buy only 3.6 lakh doses, including 63,000 received on Wednesday. A total of 2.3 lakh doses have been used, leaving only 1.3 lakh, Singh said. Pointing out that almost one lakh unregistered construction workers and their family members had so far come forward for getting vaccinated in line with the state government's prioritisation of vaccination for 18-44 category, Singh asked the labour department to ensure the registration of these workers on priority.
During the coronavirus review meeting, Covid expert group head Dr K K Talwar noted that the existing vaccines had been found to be effective against the new variants/mutants so far. DGP Dinkar Gupta said the Punjab Police had lost 21 personnel to the virus in the last five months, and of these, 50 per cent were not fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the chief minister launched a WhatsApp chatbot for self-care during home isolation, information on bed availability and vaccine centres etc. Patients in home isolation can enter their vitals in the app and these will be monitored by experts who will advise them on the course of treatment. The app is available in three languages English, Punjabi and Hindi, the statement said.