COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Indian States |
With India set to roll out the third stage of vaccination to inoculate all citizens above 18 years staring May 1st, several states are forced to delay the drive due to vaccination shortage. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the date for the third stage. Yet, the states are seemingly not ready with any plans of vaccinations. The immunization drive was open to all adults and the states and private hospitals were allowed to procure the vaccine doses directly from manufacturers. However, only two vaccines are being produced in the country and of the total production 50% is reserved for the Union government and the rest 50% for the states and private hospitals. Several states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu say that they do not have adequate vaccine doses to initiate the vaccination drive. The Maharashtra government has decided to not roll out the vaccination drive for the third phase for the 18-44 age group, unless they have 2.5 million doses in hand. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on 29th April said the Covid-19 vaccination drive for the 18-45 age group in the state will start by May 15 instead of the first day of the month. The government has allocated funds to ramp up the production capabilities of India`s two vaccine producers. Moreover, the third vaccine Russian Sputnik V has also been given emergency use approval to meet the country`s demand.
|
|
|
|