Punjab CM gets second jab, appeals for vaccination

Chandigarh, Dec 7 (IANS) After getting the jab for the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday appealed to the people to get vaccinated at the earliest without showing any sort of complacency to prevent themselves from the possible infection from the new Omicron variant.

Chairing a meeting to review the preparedness to face any eventuality in wake of Omicron here, the Chief Minister directed the Health and Medical Education Research Departments to work in tandem to intensify the pace of vaccination drive so as to cover the entire eligible population across the state.

While apprising the Chief Minister about the status of Covid vaccination so far in the state, the Secretary Health said out of 2.46 crore eligible population, 1.66 crore (80 per cent) have been administered the first dose and nearly 38 per cent i.e. 79.87 lakh have been given the second dose.

He said the Health Department has available stock of 46 lakh doses as on Tuesday and medical or paramedic teams are actively engaged in the vaccination spree to cover the remaining population in a missionary mode.

Apart from this, around 30,000 tests were being done for detection of coronavirus cases on a daily basis.

Pointing out further, the Health Secretary updated Channi that the department was fully geared to face any possibility of fresh outbreak of new variant as sufficient material and equipment has been procured.

Showing satisfaction over the arrangements made till date to cope with any feasibility of the fresh wave due to new variant, the Chief Minister categorically said though not a single case of Omicron has been reported in the state so for, the state cannot tolerate complacency on this count.