CHANDIGARH/LUDHIANA: Punjab Youth Development Board (PYDB) Chairman Sukhwinder Singh Bindra today said that the concerted efforts of Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh
had registered another big leap in vaccination during the three-special inoculation drive from 3 to 5, July.
Stating that the timely vaccination can save precious lives to fell prey to COVID-19 pandemic, the Chairman of PYDB Sukhwinder Singh Bindra said that people of Punjab gave enthusiastic response to vaccination drive conducted across the state on July 3, which further led to ensure administration of more 5.14 lakh doses in one day to the age group of 18 years and above.
He said that the health teams administered over 20 lakh anti-coronavirus vaccines to the beneficiaries in between the age group of 18 and 44 years so far in the state.
Bindra also commended the significant role of Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Youth Clubs, Social and religious organisations to take the vaccination drive to new heights by covering maximum eligible populace in urban as well as rural areas.
Disclosing the details, Bindra said that with launch of mega drive for COVID vaccination as many as 284044 first doses had been given to beneficiaries of 18 to 44 years age and 8065 second doses on first day while on July 4 49251 first doses were inoculated followed by 1429 second doses. On July 5, the health teams administered 18915 first doses to beneficiaries whereas 1915 second doses were given. He said that the cumulative number of doses to 18 to 44 years of age group was 2016364 since July 5, which would be further increased by covering all remaining eligible beneficiaries in the state.
He hailed the contribution of the sports and youth affairs department, youth clubs across the state for their immense contribution in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and said that directions had been issued to the officials to further play a crucial role in the upcoming special vaccination camps in the colleges too as announced by Punjab Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan recently.
He said that District Sports Officers and youth clubs associated with the board were being encouraged youths and residents of their respective areas to get vaccinated in large numbers to avoid the third wave of the pandemic.
Bindra said that PYDB is working shoulder to shoulder with Capt Amarinder Singh led the Punjab government in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic by intensifying the vaccination drive as speedy coverage of beneficiaries would break the transmission chain of the virus.
He said that the Punjab had a sizeable number of youths and they have the potential to turn the Covid-19 tide. He said the youth are an asset to any state and those countries have demonstrated in the world where their young people have played a constructive role. He said that PYDB would leave no stone unturned to ensure speedy coverage of those eligible at the earliest in the next mega vaccination drive in colleges. The Chairman said that only accelerated vaccination drive can help to build herd immunity resulting in breaking the transmission chain of the infectious disease.