CHANDIGARH: Expecting that after a fortnight there will be a fall in the beneficiaries of 18-44 age group for Covid-19 vaccination as most have taken their first dose, the UT health department is planning to target pregnant women and lactating mothers coming to the hospitals.
“We will counsel them in antenatal clinics. This section has been left due to a recent announcement allowing them to be covered under the vaccination programme,” said director (health services), UT, Dr Amandeep Kang.
Meanwhile, 75,000 doses of Covisheild will be received by the Chandigarh health department on July 8 Till date 56% of the beneficiaries between 18 and 44 years have received first dose. The UT health department will also go to the villages and slums for the vaccination drive. “We have already started vaccination at public places using our mobile van services in places like Sukhna lake. Most people are apprehensive of coming to the hospitals, such open public places are convenient for them. We will station ambulances at such places,” said the DHS.
There are around 40,000 pregnant women in Chandigarh registered under antenatal care. “As there had been a change in the policy wherein it was initially told that the vaccine would have contraindication for this group, there has to be counselling for this section,” said an official of the UT health department.
The vaccination for the 18-years group started on May 14 in the city. However, till date this is the largest beneficiary group to have received the first dose of vaccination in the city. “We expanded our coverage to this age group as soon as we had additional doses. There have been mobile teams, we have been opening the sessions on the weekends and public holidays and have also started evening sessions to fast pace the drive,” said the DHS.
