by Yawar Hussain
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government has failed the Covid-19 vaccination test in summer capital Srinagar with scores of scheduled appointments of people in the age group of 18-44 years getting cancelled on Sunday citing no reason.
Amir Suhail Lone, 30, who was scheduled to get his first shot on April 3 at Natipora-SC centre under reference number 35872323376940 received a message on Sunday informing him that his appointment has been cancelled and “inconvenience is regretted”.
The Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Baseer Khan last week had claimed that the Union Territory had ordered 1.25 crore Covid-19 vaccines which, as per him, was the highest in the country.
However, the situation on the ground is very different in comparison to the claims of the government.
Rahil Ali, who was also scheduled to get vaccinated under registration number 98448434551560 has also received a similar message.
Talking to Kashmir Life, Ali said that when he had booked the appointment on Saturday evening the vaccination slots were open.
“My friend got vaccinated with Covixin at a private facility on Sunday. I believe the government wants the private players to earn because when they have the quota, how is the government lacking it,” he said.
Adam Zahoor (name changed), another aggrieved, also received a similar message that his appointment scheduled for April 4 at Health Centre Miskeen Bagh under 37363794049930 was cancelled.
It is pertinent to mention that the Srinagar District administration under a much-hyped drive had kick-started the vaccination drive in Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital on May 1.
The District Administration claimed 1.25 lakh new doses of Covaxin and Covishield reached the Valley on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Mohammad Aijaz Asad Saturday had said the eligible people must get themselves registered and that nobody would get the jab without registering for the vaccination.
He said a total of 10 designated centres had been set up by the district administration for the people to be vaccinated. “The number of designated centres will be increased soon,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the J&K Administration said Covaxin will be administered to the 18-45 age group free of cost.
The government had claimed 15 boxes having a total of 75,000 doses of Covaxin were received at the Srinagar airport from Hyderabad in the morning. The officials said another consignment of 50,000 doses of Covishield vaccine from Pune also arrived at the Srinagar airport.
Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday recorded its biggest single-day spike of 3,832 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 1,79,915, while a record of 47 fatalities in the last 24 hours raised the toll to 2,330.
Similar messages of cancellation of appointments were reported from a dozen people by this reporter when this news story was filed.
