Vax drive in Patiala district way short of target

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 23

Amid widespread vaccine hesitancy, the Health Department and the district administration couldn’t convince enough beneficiaries to meet the Covid vaccination target today.

Against the daily target of 50,000, only 8,153 beneficiaries received the jab in the district today. While 5,004 beneficiaries got the second dose, 3,037 reached vaccination centres to receive their first dose. Besides, 112 beneficiaries were administered the booster dose.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that over 3 lakh beneficiaries in the district have not taken their second dose and have skipped the due date for it.

A health official said, “Our staff is ready to administer Covid dose at all health centres. However, we are helpless when people are not turning up.”

In view of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, the Election Commission has already given an ultimatum to the Patiala Health Department to reach the national average figure of Covid-19 vaccination, which is 92 per cent of targeted population with first dose and 69 per cent with second shot, in the next seven days. Consequently, the department has been reaching out to various NGOs, religious outfits and other social organisations to motivate people for vaccination. —

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