E-Paper
Chandigarh sees influx of migrants for vaccination
Chandigarh health department attributes it to Punjab government making complete vaccination certificate or negative RT-PCR test report mandatory for entry and rumours of free vaccination drive ending in Himachal Pradesh
Even as the Chandigarh health department announced the achievement of 100% first dose target on August 14, as many as 18,000 people have got jabbed against Covid-19 for the first time at vaccination centres in the city in the past four days.
The health department attributes it to the influx of migrant population from Himachal Pradesh after the Punjab government made complete vaccination certificate or a negative RT-PCR test report mandatory for entry into the state.
Alleged rumours about free vaccination drive being discontinued in government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh is also making these people make a beeline for Chandigarh.
For the past four days, private buses crowded with people, especially from the hill state, can be seen thronging Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, and Civil Hospital, Mani Majra. Nearly 2,000 people are getting vaccinated at these two hospitals daily, according to the Chandigarh health department.
“Migrant population, especially those living in Baddi and Solan in Himachal Pradesh, have to make regular visits to Punjab to work in industries. After the Punjab government’s announcement, they are visiting the two government hospitals in Chandigarh in huge numbers, as they feel that vaccine may not be easily available at their local centres,” said Dr Amandeep Kang, director, health services, Chandigarh, while dispelling rumours about free vaccination being discontinued in thehill state.
According to the latest electoral list, around 7,29,822 people in Chandigarh are above the age of 18 and are eligible to get vaccinated. As on Wednesday, 7,50,062 (104%), including migrants, had taken their first shot while 2,59,816 (36%) were fully vaccinated.
