COVID-19 VACCINATION STARTS IN DISTRICT LUDHIANA TODAY, FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE ADMINISTERED TO GOVT MEDICAL OFFICER DR HARPREET SINGH BAINS

• IN DISTRICT LUDHIANA, FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE ADMINISTERED TO GOVT MEDICAL OFFICER DR HARPREET SINGH BAINS AT CIVIL HOSPITAL
• AROUND 30,000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO BE ADMINISTERED COVID-19 VACCINE IN DISTRICT LUDHIANA: BHARAT BHUSHAN ASHU
• VACCINATION BEING DONE AT 5 PLACES IN DISTRICT LUDHIANA: DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

Ludhiana, January 16:

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu today symbolically launched the much awaited Covid-19 vaccination in district Ludhiana today. Accompanied by MLA Sanjay Talwar, Political Secretary to CM Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma, Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal, Civil Surgeon Dr Sukhjeevan Kakkar, besides several others, the Cabinet Minister visited the Civil Hospital, here.

Dr Harpreet Singh Bains, Medical Officer posted at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana was the first person in district Ludhiana who was administered the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Civil Hospital, here.

While speaking to media persons on the occasion, Bharat Bhushan Ashu informed that in the first phase, around 30,000 healthcare workers in district Ludhiana and around 1.74 lakh healthcare workers in the state would be administered the dose of Covid-19 vaccine. He said that today is a memorable day, which would pave the way for the complete eradication of the Covid-19 pandemic from the state.

He said that although the Covid-19 vaccine has been launched but also appealed to the residents to wear masks and observe social distancing norms as that remains the best way to prevent being exposed to the virus. He clarified that the vaccine has no side effects as it has been developed after great research by world renowned scientists. He said that once this vaccine is administered, the beneficiary would be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination in special observation rooms. He also said that Vaccine is to be given in two doses spaced apart by 28 days.

Dr Harpreet Singh Bains said that this vaccine is totally safe and people should not believe in any rumours on social media.

Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma thanked the doctors and healthcare workers for showing full faith in the Covid-19 vaccine. He said that it is because of their faith in this vaccine that more than 30,000 doctors and healthcare workers would be administered dose of Covid-19 vaccine in the first phase in district Ludhiana alone. He urged the residents to not believe in any rumours spread on social media.

The Deputy Commissioner said that this vaccine has been launched after carrying out several trials and there is no need to panic. He said that people should understand that if the doctors and healthcare workers have themselves volunteered regarding this, it clearly shows that they have full faith in this vaccine. He also said that getting vaccination done is purely voluntary, but appealed that everyone should get vaccinated.

He said that in the first phase, this vaccine is administered at Civil Hospitals in Ludhiana, Khanna and Jagraon, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana and Christian Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana. He said that tomorrow being a Sunday, there would be no vaccination in the district and it would resume on Monday. He said that vaccination would be carried out as per the directions of the health department in the coming days as well.

He clarified that this vaccine would not be available off the shelf for the time being and only people who have got themselves registered on the government portal would be covered under it. He said that upon registration, the beneficiaries would receive an SMS informing the date and place where the Covid-19 vaccine would be administered to them.

He said that this vaccination would be done twice (once every two weeks) and when one gets vaccinated second time, they would be fully safe from Covid-19 virus after further two weeks of getting a second shot of vaccination. “For example, if a person gets vaccinated today, he/she would be vaccinated again after 14 days (for a second shot). Upon the completion of 28 days (both shots administered), he/she would have to wait for another 14 days to be fully safe from Covid-19 virus. Till then people should keep taking precautions,” he said.