Several states including Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu defer Covid-19 vaccine rollout over supply uncertainty

By Team Newsable | First Published Apr 30, 2021, 4:09 PM IST

Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh too have flagged shortage of vaccine.

Several states including Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have deferred the third phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive, which is scheduled to be rolled out for all adults from May 1. Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh too have flagged shortage of vaccine.

Explaining the predicament, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan said, "instead of waiting till tomorrow (and disappoint people), I wish to clarify (now) that we are unsure when and how much out of 1.5 crore doses of vaccine sought by Tamil Nadu, will arrive." The state government has not yet received a reply from the Centre on the demand for vaccines.

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For the present, the state government would continue to administer vaccines with the existing stock.

Karnataka's Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar too made a similar appeal. “We have placed orders for one crore doses of vaccine and the manufacturers are yet to officially give us confirmation as to when they will be able to deliver. Till we intimate you, please do not visit hospitals although you have enrolled on the CoWIN portal,” the Minister said. The State has an estimated 3.5 crore people in this category. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had on Thursday said that the fourth phase of vaccination will be taken up in stages in the State.

Delhi Chief Minister on Friday said all citizens would be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the next three months, but appealed to citizens against queuing up outside vaccination centres in the Capital from Saturday.

“Our intent is to ensure that all the citizens of Delhi are vaccinated against Covid in the next 3 months. We are yet to receive vaccine shots to be administered and are in touch with the company manufacturing it; we should start receiving it over two to three days,” Kejriwal said during a digital briefing. “My appeal to the people is to not start queuing up outside vaccination centres so that social distancing and law and order issues don’t arise,” he added.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has officially deferred the roll-out of the COVID-19 inoculation drive for those in the 18-44 years age group until further orders citing "technical" issues.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration said the new date for vaccination drive will be announced once the supply is established. Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo said the union territory expects to receive vaccines by May 20.

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said the vaccination drive for all above 18 years in the state may get delayed as there were not enough doses of the Covid vaccine. "We are not getting adequate doses of vaccines. That is why we are facing problems. We have staff and required infrastructure for vaccination,” Sidhu told reporters.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

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