Only 5.35 percent population of Punjab is Fully Vaccinated, Centre Needs to Ramp up Supply: Balbir Sidhu

PunjabChandigarh, July 26:

To stem the rise in number of corona virus infections in the near future, vaccination drive in the state needs more push although figure of people with both doses of vaccine in Punjab stands at just 5.35 percent.  

Giving details in press statement Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that Punjab has been able to vaccinate 94,79,351 persons out of which 77,16,433 have received first dose and 17,62,918 have completed their vaccination with two doses.

Mr. Sidhu pointed out that Punjab has been receiving less supply of vaccine and he urged many times the Central Government to expedite the vaccine supply so that the state government can safeguard its population by vaccinating them with both doses of vaccine. He said that presently the figure of people with both doses of vaccine in Punjab stands at just 5.35 percent. Therefore for avoiding the third wave of COVID-19 apart from health infrastructure, vaccine supply needs to be ramped up by the central government so that entire population can be covered.

As the fear of third wave of COVID-19 is looming large, Captain Amarinder led Punjab Government is already geared up for tackling the anticipated load of large number of cases he said adding that Health Department is fully equipped to handle an increased number of cases which may be more than the infections in second wave, enough health infrastructure such as enhanced bed capacity, 9000 oxygen concentrators, 75 PSA oxygen generation plants have been added in a short span of time.

Commenting on the Fourth Sero Survey conducted by the ICMR in four districts of Punjab, the Health Minister said that as per the results of the survey, 63.15 percent of population had Covid antibodies and amongst the healthcare workers 83.25 percent had antibodies. Out of these four districts, Ludhiana had the maximum positivity of 71 percent in the general population.

Mr. Sidhu further stated that this survey results convey the presence of Covid antibodies in the population surveyed which means that Punjab had much higher number of cases than the number which were reported. Considering the high prevalence of Covid among Punjab’s population he appealed to follow Covid Appropriate behaviour till whole of the population is completely vaccinated with two doses.