Chandigarh, Apr 23 (UNI) Terming the new vaccination policy for 18+ age group as unfair to the states, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday sought Centre-State parity in vaccination for 18+ age group from May 1, while calling for urgent steps to ensure adequate Oxygen supply.
While his government has adopted all measures to minimize demand for oxygen, given the criticality of it as the most essential drug for treatment of serious Covid patients, the Union Government must ensure that all commitments as per the allocation are complied with by liquid oxygen manufacturers in other States, he demanded, adding that “this is not happening at present. Punjab’s supplies come from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and there are reports of supplies being ‘hijacked’, he said at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual conference to discuss the Covid situation with Chief Ministers of the worst hit states.
On the vaccination front, the Chief Minister said at the rates declared by one manufacturer, the cost to the Punjab government will be over Rs 1000 crore. He sought central government funding for vaccination, with permission to make the cost a fit charge on SDRF funds in the interim.
Regular vaccine supply must be ensured to maintain the supply chain to the last vaccination booth, he said, adding that due to supply shortage, the vaccination in last one week has been slightly low (around 75-80,000 daily). While Punjab received fresh supplies yesterday the current stocks can last only three days as demand for vaccine is increasing, he stressed.
Capt Amarinder also expressed concern over lack of clarity on the quantity of vaccine to be made available by Centre after May 1, and how the manufacturers will regulate supplies to different States and private purchasers. The state government, on its part, has constituted an Expert Group under virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang to advise on our vaccination strategy for 18-45 years, which States have been allowed to vaccinate at their cost, he said.
He also pointed to the shortage and blackmarketing of medicines like Remdesivir and Toci, which he said was creating great panic in the media and general public. Though the Central Government was making efforts to increase their supply, a clearer messaging was required to inform the public that they are not magic wands, and also about available substitutes, he stressed.
Pointing to the shortage of anti-viral Remdesivir Injections and zero availability of Toci injections in the state, he said hospitals were, however, following treatment protocol for critical patients and using alternate medicines.
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