Ramp up vaccination for 18+, adopt multipronged approach

OPEN HOUSE: Should Chandigarh open more slots to speed up vaccination of 18+ group?

Rope in private laboratories

The pandemic is spreading fast. The second wave is more lethal. Only remedy found till date are precautions and vaccine. As such, the Administration should make efforts to vaccinate maximum eligible residents. As the Administration has started inoculation for eighteen plus group it is prayed that more slots be arranged for beneficiaries at laboratories like Atulya, SRL, Medicos Centre, Dr Lal Path Labs and others.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

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strong strategy needed to contain virus

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a grim situation. It needs an equally strong strategy to tackle it head on. Need of the hour is to fight it out on war footing with a multi-pronged strategy, including vaccination to prevent it from making strongholds. As it has been evident that only immunisation can control its spread and save lives. Accepting offence as the best form of defence, the UT Administration should become offensive by opening more vaccination slots to prepare a large army of Covid fighters and force the contagion to retreat.

Sunil Khanna, Chandigarh

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Fighting enemy without ammo

Scarcity of vaccine is hampering the inoculation drive. Without vaccine it's just like fighting enemy without ammunition. Vaccine supplied is less as compared to the Chandigarh's population. The Administration should procure more vaccine doses and open inoculation centres in each sector so that Covid cases are reduced to negligible.

Nitin Sud, Panchkula

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Avoid increasing slots all of a sudden

UT has already received 33,000 doses of vaccine for inoculating people in the 18 to 45 age group. To ensure efficiency and good response, the Administration should avoid increasing slots all of a sudden for the time being. An alternative option could be increasing slots with each passing day. Slow and steady procedures will help in making the vaccination drive successful and eliminate coronavirus soon.

Charvi Tyagi, Chandigarh

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Age bar should have been lifted

In order to wipe out the Covid pandemic the only solution is opening vaccination slots for 18 plus groups. Had there been no age limit for inoculation maximum beneficiaries would have been vaccinated by this month. This would also have prevented wastage of vaccine doses. The mismanagement of vaccination drive must be stopped to save all.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

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Admn must make all-out efforts

Since there seems to be no better option, at least as of now, vaccination slots for 18 plus group must be increased. However, lack of proper planning and coordination amongst various stakeholders could possibly be behind such a poor show. It also goes without saying that at this speed, it might take much longer to inoculate the entire group of the targeted people. This might ultimately defeat the purpose of the entire exercise. Let the UT Administration urgently peruse its action plan and make all out efforts to rescue of all concerned.

Vinayak G, Panchkula

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Make vaccination compulsory for all

It's high time that we speed up vaccination drive for all age groups to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Soon, we might face third stage of the virus. So, the UT Administration should make vaccination compulsory irrespective of the age or any other condition of the beneficiary.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

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Safety norms more important

Medical experts opine that people in the 45 plus group and those with comorbidities should be vaccinated first. Inoculation of 18 plus group should be accelerated depending upon the availability of vaccine. However, the UT Administration should focus on enforcing Covid appropriate behaviour as people still flout norms with impunity and only small number are penalised. Implementing safety guidelines is more important than vaccination.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

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Protect 18+ group on a priority

Unlike the first Covid wave, younger people are more vulnerable to infection during the second onslaught of the virus. The 18 plus group needs to be protected on priority as they are the working people, who keep kitchen in every household running. Unfortunately, neither the UT Administration nor the Centre has felt the urgency to vaccinate this group. The Centre must release adequate quota of vaccine for Chandigarh based on its realistic demand. The inoculation drive must be suitably beefed up at more sites.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

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Deploy more staff for vaccination

Vaccination of only 1,000 people between 18 to 45 years cannot be justified when it comes to eradicating virus and reaching herd immunity. There is a dire need to increase staff for vaccination at various centres. Inoculation will provide safety from virus to beneficiaries, reduce load on hospitals, doctors, medical staff and frontline workers. Less the time the authorities take to vaccinate people the earliest our economy will be back on the track. The confidence level and mental health problems of people will also reduce.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Minhas (retd), Mohali

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Preference to organ transplant cases

Of course Chandigarh should open more vaccination slots for 18 plus group while giving priority to immune-compromised patients particularly those, who have undergone organ transplant and are more prone to such infections. All those with comorbidities for which the government has already listed 20 such conditions, including patients undergoing dialysis, those suffering from cancer, severe cardiac diseases, acid attack victims, physically challenged and organ transplant cases, should be given priority over general public falling under the 18 plus group.

Parveen Kumar Rattan, Chandigarh

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Vaccine on doorstep for senior citizens

As coronavirus spreads its tentacles vaccination drive has to be speed up. More vaccination centers should be set up to enable timely inoculation of the masses. Beneficiaries can be vaccinated at community centres, offices or at camps. A special home vaccination drive should be launched for senior citizens and physically challenged. Only vaccination can safeguard people against the deadly virus.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

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45 plus category bearing the brunt

Yes, for sure the Chandigarh Administration must open more vaccination slots for the 18 plus group. But 45 plus categories are also facing vaccine crunch especially with respect to their second doses. So, the vaccination supply has to be streamlined so that people of all age groups are inoculated in shortest span. We should not get anxious as it always leads to chaos. The people ought to support the Administration make the inoculation drive success and contain the virus.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

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Follow norms even after vaccination

Vaccination of people in 18 to 45 years group will go a long way in curbing the raging pandemic due to their vulnerability to infection. This group is most outgoing due to various compulsions. It's, however, important that people above this age group are not sidelined and vaccinated on priority basis. Ensure that people follow Covid guidelines in letter and spirit even after vaccination for containing the virus.

Dr DK Verma, Panchkula

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Procure vaccine in advance

There are thousands of beneficiaries in 18 plus age group in Chandigarh. The Health Department should increase vaccination capacity so that maximum beneficiaries are covered per day. Arrangements should be made in advance for procurement of vaccine. Everyone must keep in mind that virus has not yet vanished or subsided. Take Covid preventive measures while at home or outside. Venture out only whenever it is necessary.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

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Only proactive approach can help

The Centre’s policy of a three-tier price structure for states, UTs and private hospitals to purchase vaccine on their own has opened up a Pandora’s box. Most states and UTs are now clueless how to go ahead with the vaccination drive. With low stock at its disposal, the UT Administration planned to vaccinate 1,000 to 2,000 beneficiaries each day. The second Covid wave has affected younger generation. The Administration should arrange vaccine doses to cover maximum people in the least time. Only proactive approach can save human lives.

Suresh Verma, Chandigarh

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No walk-in registration

There is no walk-in registration for vaccination of the 18 plus group. Beneficiaries of this group have to book slot through the CoWIN portal for getting vaccinated. The Centre has given vaccines to the UT Administration for inoculating persons in 18 plus group, whose population is approximately 3.55 lakh. More inoculation centres must be opened in the UT. Walk-in registration must be provided at vaccination centres for 18 plus.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

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Prefer residents over outsiders

Many people from nearby towns and big cities are travelling to Chandigarh for Covid treatment. Even people from Delhi are coming to the City Beautiful due to the shortage of ICU beds in the NCR. So, it becomes more or less mandatory to scale up the vaccination drive and cover maximum 18 plus group people per day. Moreover, local residents must be given preference over outsiders for vaccination.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh

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Shortage of doses stalling drive

Obviously, due to higher demand for vaccine more slots must be opened for the 18 plus group. To avoid crowding at vaccination venues, beneficiaries should register for their slot online. Complete vaccination can protect all against the third wave of the pandemic. Moreover, there is no vaccine hesitancy among the people. Only shortage of doses is stalling the drive.

Anita Tandon, Kharar

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Add more hospitals, dispensaries

To make people immune to virus it is necessary to increase vaccination centres. More hospitals and dispensaries especially in adjoining villages, which are part of the UT, can be designated to administer vaccine. However, the drive will be successful only if there is sufficient trained staff for inoculation and adequate stock of vaccine. Retired medical professionals can be deployed for this purpose at vaccination centres.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

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Youth our workforce, vaccinate them

Vaccination benefits all beneficiaries. More vaccination centres should be opened to cover the entire city's population. The youth are important for society. They are the workforce. So, vaccination drive should be ramped up for the 18 to 44 years group. The Administration should provide enough stock of vaccine to the Health Department.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

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Increase slots for vaccination in city

Last week, the UT Administration did not increase vaccination slots for the 18 plus group due to shortage of vaccine. This week, the authorities have received additional doses. So, vaccination slots must be increased to cover more beneficiaries per day.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

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Daily target must be 5,000 persons

The UT Administration must set a minimum daily target of vaccinating 5,000 beneficiaries to beat coronavirus. This should include all above 18 years. Time is short. Slow vaccination drive might not be useful as virus might mutate significantly in the next three months if not earlier. Bulk of the population has to be vaccinated on a war scale.

Dr Kushaljit Sodhi, Chandigarh

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Give the Go-ahead to new vaccines

Now, it's upto the Union Government and the UT to ensure availability of vaccines. The Centre should give a go ahead to manufacturing of new vaccines, both injectable and oral. Necessary regulatory approvals for new vaccines have to be expedited at all levels. Sputnik V vaccine has already been launched in Hyderabad. It will give a boost to the vaccination drive. In the present scenario, vaccination is the only saviour against Covid-19.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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Demand more vaccine doses from Centre

The Administration has opened inoculation for 18 plus, which has created shortage of vaccine in the UT. Limited vaccine doses are being provided for the city. The Administration should demand more vaccine from the Centre and open more inoculation centres in the city. There must be designated centres for the second dose. Drive through vaccination can also be started in the UT. Preference should be given to city residents for vaccination.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

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It will take years to vaccinate all

At the current pace, it may take years to vaccinate the entire population of the city unless the inoculation process undergoes a major shift, including motivating people at large. Centre-state friction due to political one-upmanship with rivals is taking a toll on universal immunisation mission. Licence to manufacture vaccine should be liberalised by the Centre. District Magistrate and Civil Surgeon must be entrusted the task of arranging enough infrastructure and trained manpower by involving government and non-government organisations/establishments for door-to-door and walk-in vaccination of all above 18 plus without prior registration. There is no dearth of resources. Only their optimal channelisation and concerted efforts are often found wanting.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

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18+ group at high risk

Youngsters too are at high risk during the ongoing Covid pandemic. In this situation, immediate vaccination of maximum 18 plus group is urgent. The Administration must increase vaccination slots and ensure availability of vaccine doses in the UT.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

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Remove glitches in Cowin app

The second Covid wave has caused a tremendous loss of life on account of lapses on part of the various stakeholders in the pandemic management. More vaccination slots should be opened up for the 18+ age group. Technical glitch in the CoWIN app should be removed. All major languages should be included in the app so that persons from hinterland can book their slots for vaccination. Door-to-door, along with the drive-in vaccination for all the age groups, should be initiated. Vaccines can be ordered directly from manufacturers.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

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Vaccine out of stock

Chandigarh has enough inoculation slots, but for the short supply of vaccine some centres have been closed. Some designated private hospitals are refusing inoculation due to non-availability of vaccine. Somewhere the authorities have failed to judge the situation. So, planning for the vaccination drive has failed. Chandigarh has capacity and capability for complete vaccination of its residents within four months if the supply of doses is maintained. People are keen to get vaccinated. The authorities should focus on supply of vaccine doses.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

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Unlock doors for more jabs

Undoubtedly, the UT Administration should unlock doors for more jabs against coronavirus. People from Mohali and Panchkula come to Chandigarh for getting vaccinated. This has created shortage of vaccine doses. Hence, the only way to curb the spread of the virus is to increase vaccination slots for the 18 plus group.

Tarunjot Kaur, Greater Mohali

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Booking slots an uphill task

Booking slots for the 18 plus group on the CoWIN portal for vaccination in Chandigarh is an uphill task. At present, less beneficiaries for this group are inoculated in the UT. Time slots for all centres show booking for the entire week. There is a dire need to enhance the beneficiary count to at least 3,000 per day so that slots for vaccination are available for this age group.

RPS Chopra, Chandigarh

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Double the number of beneficiaries

To control the situation before the arrival of the third Covid wave as predicted by experts, it is imperative for the UT Administration to double the number of beneficiaries for vaccination per day.

JS Saini, Greater Mohali

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Imported vaccines can boost drive

Ramping up inoculation drive for the 18 plus group depends on the availability of vaccine doses. However, this means slower vaccination of the 45 plus group and frontline workers. Presently, vaccination drive for youngsters is moving at a snail's pace. Older group will suffer if the entire focus of the vaccination drive is on 18 plus group. Vaccination programme can be boosted if imported vaccine is available soon.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

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Procure vaccine from open market

Chandigarh has been hit hard by the second pandemic wave. Vaccines play a vital role in preventing the virus infection. The UT Administration has made arrangements for more vaccination slots for the 18 plus group. However, there is shortage of vaccines at some centres. The Centre has provided only 33,000 vaccines for the population of 3.5 lakh in the 18 to 44 years age group, which are inadequate. In the coming days there might be shortage of vaccine. The UT administration should procure vaccines from the open market.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

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QUESTION

The Centre has requested state governments to send their suggestions on conducting the CBSE Class XII and professional courses’ entrance examinations by May 25. Should the board conduct the examinations keeping in view students’ susceptibility and risk of contracting the infection?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]