COVID-19: After drawing flak, J&K to resume vaccination on ‘war footing’ from May 19

After drawing flak from the political events and locals for its sluggish and skewed COVID-19 vaccination drive in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory (UT) administration has mentioned it can resume the vaccination, additionally for these ready for his or her second doses, on “a war footing” from Wednesday.

Officials mentioned the Union Territory (UT) acquired a contemporary consignment of Covishield vaccine on Tuesday. “The immunisation drive in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions to continue on a war footing from May 19. The government has ensured for a continuous supply of vaccine doses to meet requirements,” an official spokesman mentioned.

Most districts of J&K, together with summer time capital Srinagar, confronted an acute scarcity of vaccine within the final one week. Locals alleged they have been turned away regardless of appointments by the Valley’s main hospitals, saying “they have run out of stock”.

According to official figures, the Jammu division has been ready to administer doses to 85.66 % inhabitants in contrast to 61.15% within the Kashmir division within the age bracket of 45 and above.

Divisional (*19*) Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole has mentioned the J&K authorities has positioned an order of 1.2 crore doses. “There can be difficulty as other States have also placed orders with the spread of the virus in many parts of the country,” he added.

He mentioned the vaccination of 45 and above age group was going on in full swing and the speed in J&K was 61% towards the 33% nationwide common. “All efforts are being made to get the remaining population in the 45 above age group vaccinated in the coming days,” Mr. Pole added.

J&K wants vaccine doses for 37 lakh for the inhabitants within the 18- 45 age group. “First those people, including shopkeepers, drivers, press people, employees, who come in public contact, shall be given the doses on priority for containment of spread of virus,” he added.

‘Cases declining’

Meanwhile, the federal government mentioned the speed of every day COVID-19 optimistic sufferers had “stabilised to some extent” and “plunged by 10-12%” in the course of the previous few days in Kashmir.

“The demand for oxygen beds has been also eased out as the number of beds has been increased at all dedicated COVID-19 hospitals including the SKIMS, Soura, and the SMHS,” he added.

The political events, together with the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Peoples Conference and the J&K Apni Party, had criticised the “sluggish” and “skewed” vaccination within the UT, particularly the Kashmir valley.

“The ground reality is different as zero vaccinations was reportedly recorded in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent days due to shortage of doses which is a huge cause of concern. Instead of vaccinating more and more people, the administration in Jammu and Kashmir has left the hapless people in the lurch which has created a lot of uncertainty,” CPI (M) chief Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami mentioned on Tuesday.

He mentioned the official vaccination information for round final week was abysmally low. “The details must be shared with the people so that there is no more uncertainty and confusion regarding the vaccination process. It is the duty of the government to protect people against COVID-19 infections,” he added.