Confusion over disability criteria as Ph-2 begins today

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar/chandigarh, Feb 28

Confusion prevails among persons with disability regarding the new guidelines issued for the phase-2 of the Covid vaccinaton, the registration for which begins tomorrow.

Who all can get inoculated

• Senior citizens above the age of 60
• Citizens above the age of 45 having co-morbidities
• Pre-registration not mandatory
• Free vaccination at government hospitals
• To cost Rs250 at private hospitals

582 fresh cases in state

The state reported 582 cases and seven deaths in the past 24 hours. As per a media bulletin, two deaths each were reported from Amritsar and Jalandhar, and one each from Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur.

Amputees not covered

Amputees do not come under co-morbidity or disease category. However, an effort should be made by the government to find and reach out to those who can’t make it to a hospital on their own.—  Dr KK Talwar, Health Adviser to State govt

Along with the elderly (above 60 years of age), those with co-morbidities (above 45 to 59 years of age) have also been included in the phase-2.

The criterion covered in the second phase of the Covid vaccine includes the following disabilities: Persons with disabilities due to intellectual problems, muscular dystrophy, acid attack with involvement of respiratory system, persons with disabilities having high support needs, multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness. As per the 2011 census, there are 6.54 lakh people with disabilities in Punjab. As per the current figures of the Department of Social Security, there are 96,186 people in Punjab with disabilities who are above the age of 18 years.

Disability activists have termed the guidelines confusing and exclusionary to certain sections. Disability activist Vivek Joshi, who has cerebral palsy and operates from a wheelchair, said, “Is cerebral palsy included? If a person is limbless but needs high support and has no co-morbidities, is he eligible? The guidelines leave much unanswered. My parents are elderly. It takes six months for me to heal if I get a wound. The disabled take longer to heal. Many others face similar dilemmas. There is no awareness for us. Ideally, those with locomotive disorders should have had the provision of getting vaccinated at home. Going to a vaccination centre amid Covid is in itself a huge ordeal. Many won’t turn up due to lack of a certificate.”

State coordinator and executive member, disabilities, Amarjit Singh Anand said, “Many children with disabilities are much more vulnerable and immune-compromised. Barring listed co-mobidities, there are other medical conditions that the disabled suffer from. Many won’t even apply due to lack of awareness. Is there a government mechanism to reach them? All disabilities across age groups should have been included in the vulnerable section.” Anand has taken up the issue with Dr KK Talwar, health adviser to the state government. State nodal officer for Covid Dr Rajesh Bhaskar said, “The disabled who can apply for the jab shall be strictly vaccinated as per the mentioned guidelines. If a person below 60 doesn’t have a limb but he is not co-morbid, he won’t be considered. The guidelines are clear. Also, those coming to the vaccination centres are supposed to bring certificates regarding their co-morbidity or disability condition. All the people who meet guidelines shall be vaccinated. Presently, there is no mechanism to reach out to beneficiaries or for home vaccinations. Everyone shall be expected to report at the vaccination centre.”

Health Minister Balbir Sidhu said pre-registration was not mandatory in this round. Those who wanted to get vaccinated could either pre-register or just walk in, Sidhu said.