Chandigarh: Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary formally inaugurated the Vaccination Drive for 12-14 Year Age Group in a state level function organized at Civil Hospital Mohali.
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. G.B. Singh, Director Health Services Dr. O.P. Gojra,State Immunization Officer Dr. Balwinder Kaur,Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr. Adarshpal Kaur, Dr. Vikram Gupta (WHO), District Immunisation Officer Dr. Girish Dogra, SMO Dr. Vijay Bhagat, Dr. H.S. Cheema and SPM USAID Dr. Abhishek were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the inauguration event senior IAS officer Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary stated that on the recommendation of an expert group of Government of India,the vaccination program is being expanded to 12-14 age group population. Only the Corbevax vaccine would be used for the beneficiaries of this age group and it is an indigenous vaccine approved for this age group.
Two doses of this vaccine are to be given 28 days apart. Punjab has a target to vaccinate 8.65 lakh population of this age group. Dedicated vaccination sessions will be established for this particular age group. Additionally, Precaution dose can now be given to all persons of 60 years and above irrespective of their co-morbidity status.
Sequencing of precaution dose would be based on completion of 9 months from date of administration of the second dose. Only homologous vaccine is to be used for administering the precaution dose. He also disclosed that Punjab state has covered 96% of the eligible population (18 years and above) with at least one dose of vaccine and more than 72% population is fully vaccinated. He also appealed to the general public to follow appropriate behavior to ward off any chances of fourth wave.
