Start vaccination of teachers, students, says Punjab CM

Chandigarh, June 15 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday directed the health authorities to start vaccination of teachers, non-teaching staff and students in 18-45 age group from all schools and colleges from June 21, to enable educational institutions in the state to open safely.

He also directed the department to ensure that all persons with co-morbidities as well as disabilities, and government employees, are vaccinated on priority.

Staff in hospitality industry, parlours, service outlets, including shops, restaurants, gyms, etc, should also be vaccinated at the earliest, he said, at the Covid review meeting.

Judicial officers and lawyers should also be prioritised so that normal court functioning can safely resume, directed Amarinder Singh, while asking the Health Department to reach out proactively to nursing mothers, who have been clarified to be eligible for vaccination.

Expressing concern over the gender gap in vaccination, he directed the health experts to identified the reasons and rectify the situation.

The Chief Minister also ordered ward wise and village wise campaigns in cities, towns and rural areas that saw higher positivity and mortality in order to prioritise them for vaccination.