Punjab expands 18-45 age group vax priority list

Amid a shortage of Covid vaccine, the Punjab government on Thursday expanded the inoculation priority list for the 18-45 age group. It will be effective from June 1, a government statement said.

The new priority list includes those from the hospitality sector, shopkeepers and their staff, industrial workers, street vendors, delivery boys, bus and cab drivers, conductors and members of local bodies.

Chief minister Amarinder Singh, who chaired a coronavirus review meeting, said as of date, 4.3 lakh individuals in the existing vaccination priority list of construction labour, co-morbid individuals and families of healthcare workers in this age group had been vaccinated.

He said besides shopkeepers and their staff, as well as industrial workers, the expanded list will include staff working in hotels, restaurants, marriage palaces, caterers. In addition to rehriwalas, other street vendors will also become eligible as well as delivery, LPG distribution boys. Bus drivers, conductors, auto/ cab drivers, mayors, councilors, sarpanches and panches will also be covered in this phase.

State receives 1.14 lakh Covaxin doses

The Punjab government on Thursday evening received fresh supply of 1.14 lakh doses of Covaxin directly from BharatBiotech for the 18-45 age group. This is the first paid supply of Covaxin to Punjab. With this, the inoculation drive for 18-plus is expected to start from Friday again.

Sukhbir got vaccine worth Rs 62,000: Sidhu

Health minister Balbir Sidhu mocked SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, claiming that the former deputy chief minister got a “vaccine worth Rs 62,000” administered after he tested positive for Covid-19. The remarks were in response to Sukhbir’s criticism of the government over vaccine procurement. He did not elaborate but appeared to be referring to recently introduced Roche’s antibodies cocktail drug priced at Rs 59,750 per dose launched for emergency use.