Chandigarh, May 16
Amid continued shortage of Covid vaccine, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the Chief Secretary to explore the possibility of procurement of Sputnik V for the immunization of 18-44 age group.
Addressing the virtual Covid review meeting, the Chief Minister said the one lakh doses received initially for the 18-44 category had almost been completely utilized. He asked Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to look into Sputnik V as an alternative vaccine for this age group, in which currently the state government is inoculating families of healthcare workers, co-morbid persons and construction labour. In the next stage, other categories, especially teachers, should be vaccinate to enable reopening of the schools at the earliest, he added.
Referring to the continued shortage of Tocilizumab, Captain Amarinder said he had spoken to the Union Health Minister and hoped for supply of some quantity tomorrow. He asked the Health Secretary to follow up on the issue with the central government. All efforts should be made to continue to ensure that all other medicines, as well as Covid Fateh kits, are easily available for Covid patients in the state, the Chief Minister stressed.
Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the Chief Minister that were was no shortage of Fateh Kits as the department currently has a stock of 24000 with another 15000 to be ready by tomorrow. Certain districts were probably delaying picking up the kits, he added.
