Covid Vaccination: Glitches mark Day 1 in Panchkula

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 1

The third phase of the Covid vaccination began at three public centres in the district – the Sector 6 Civil Hospital, Sub-Divisional Hospital in Kalka and Polyclinic in Sector 26 – for those above 60 years and between 45 and 59 with comorbidities.

The first day was marked by technical glitches at all centres due to which several elderly were compelled to return home without getting the jab.

Only 139 people were vaccinated against the target of 300, registering a coverage rate of 46.7 per cent. PD Gupta, a 78-year-old man from Sector 4, who turned up at the Civil

\\\Hospital with enthusiasm around 10.30 am, was left high and dry as servers remained down at the centre for a long time. He left the centre at 3.15 pm without getting vaccinated.

The elderly man, who is suffering from diabetes and hypertension, said: “It’s sad that on the first day of the vaccination for us, the system was down. Hope the authorities get things resolved and running soon. Senior citizens face a lot of problems in reaching the sites — we pay for travel and have to bear with the physical exhaustion. Now, I have been told to visit tomorrow.”

Col JS Kandah (retd), who is 84 years old, was another intended beneficiary who was part of the disappointed lot that couldn’t get the jab on the first day.

He showed up at 9.30 am, much before the scheduled time of 10 am, but was full of resentment. “I was looking forward to this day. I came to the Civil Hospital early and waited for six hours, but the server remained down,” he said.

“I left the centre around 4 pm. They (authorities) told us to come tomorrow at 9.30 am,” he said.

Dr Rameshwar Jha (76), who turned up at the centre with his wife Moorti around 11 am, was among the fortunate ones to get the jab.

Sitting at the observation centre after getting his first jab, he said: “I was looking forward to this day. I am feeling perfectly fine.”

Dr Meenu Sasan, District Immunisation Officer, confirmed that technical glitches were witnessed at all three centres throughout the day. “As it was the first day, hurdles were expected. We are hopeful to address the glitches to make the process seamless for the elderly,” she said.

As many as 203 healthcare workers and frontline workers were vaccinated along with the general public.

Drive at 10 sites

On Tuesday, the vaccination drive will take place at 10 public and private health centres — Civil Hospital in Sec 6, Sub-Divisional Hospital (Kalka), Surajpur Primary Health Centre (PHC), Pinjore PHC, Old Panchkula PHC, Kot PHC, Nanakpur PHC, Alchemist Hospital, Paras Hospital and Sec 26 Polyclinic.

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