Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the health department to order 30 lakh Covishield doses for vaccination of the 18-45 age group, with directions to use CM Covid Relief Fund for meeting the vaccine requirements of the poor.
The Chief Minister asked the department to immediately place order for the 30 lakh doses with the Serum institute of India so that the supplies can start coming in at the earliest, even though as per information provided by the Central Government for delivery of vaccines for 18-45 age group is not expected before 15 May.
To ensure free vaccination of the poor in government hospitals, Captain Amarinder said in addition to the CM Covid relief fund, CSR funds should also be tapped into. ESIC should be asked to support the vaccination of industrial workers covered in the scheme, and the Board for Welfare of Construction Workers for construction labourers, he added.
Reviewing the vaccination strategy, he requested the Expert Group led by Dr Gagandeep Kang to submit the strategy for prioritisation of 18-45 years group (vulnerable groups in high risk areas -high transmission, high mortality etc including construction workers and industrial workers) in its first report by 29 April. Captain Amarinder also made it clear that in pursuing the 18-45 age group vaccination strategy, the state government will not compromise on vaccination of above 45 years age group.
The Chief Minister further said the government will consider approaching Astrazeneca (India) directly to allow Punjab government to avail the lower price of Rs 162 per dose available to the global community.