Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced that the state government would undertake vaccination of the 18-45 age group from 1 May and it would be ensured that the vaccine would be supplied free of cost in all government healthcare facilities.
In view of the limited supplies of vaccines expected initially, the Chief Minister constituted an expert group comprising eminent virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang, Dr Jacob John, Professor of Community Health at CMC Vellore, and Dr Rajesh Kumar, former Head School of Public Health PGIMER in Chandigarh to suggest a detailed strategy of prioritisation in the 18-45 age group.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state, the Chief Minister tasked the expert group to chalk out a vaccination strategy and submit a detailed plan to the state government within a week to meet the challenge amid the unprecedented Covid pandemic in the state.
Eminent virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang, who attended the meeting as a special invitee, emphasised the need to have a proper strategy to combat the current second wave of Covid with geographical saturation in high caseload cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali, and Patiala besides prioritisation based on medical need (serious comorbidity) and occupational groups such as teachers, etc.
The Chief Minister was informed that the state had received 4 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine from the Centre on Thursday. As these were likely to last the state for only three or four more days as per the pace of the ongoing vaccination drive, he asked the Health Department to vigorously pursue with the Union Government for ensuring a requisite supply of more Covishield vaccine besides getting requisite stock of Covaxin doses as well.
Referring to the reports of black marketing of anti-viral drugs like Remdesivir and Tocilizumab in the country, the Chief Minister said the experts have given clear protocols on the use of such medicines, which must be duly publicised and followed in right earnest. Health Adviser Dr KK Talwar referred to the World Health Organisation (WHO) studies that have shown that Remdesivir may not have any significant impact on mortality due to Covid. Further, there were alternatives for Tocilizumab and protocols of management of serious and critical patients are being regularly shared in the expert group of doctors.
Captain Amarinder directed that the state should continue to procure such drugs for patients who may benefit from their use and provide them to the government hospitals and also support the private hospitals, as it is already being done.