Karnataka government temporarily suspends vaccination drive for 18-44 age group from today
This decision to temporarily suspend vaccination for the 18-44 age group comes at a time when the coronavirus surge continues in Karnataka.
FollowThe Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the Covid-19 vaccination for the age group of 18 to 44 years from Friday, as it does not have enough vaccines, the state health department has said in a statement.
Besides, the Covid-19 inoculation drive has also been suspended for those who have already booked appointments, the state's health department said.
"Vaccination for 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointments) will be temporarily suspended from May 14 till further orders. This order will be applicable for Covid-19 vaccination at all government Covid vaccination centers," the Karnataka government said in the official order.
Having run out of vaccine stocks for 45 years and above, the State government on Wednesday announced this decision.
Instead, the state government has decided to utilise the vaccines, procured for vaccination of persons between 18 to 44 years, for beneficiaries who are due for the second dose, Karnataka's health department added.
Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar on Wednesday said that the state government will have to purchase vaccines for people between 18-44 years of age group.
"We have already paid money to the two vaccine manufacturers in the country for three crore doses. Out of three crore doses, we have received seven lakh," the state's chief secretary told the media on Wednesday.
He said the government will administer vaccines as and when the stocks arrive.
Earlier on Wednesday, K Sudhakar, Karnataka’s minister for health, family welfare and medical education said, “We don’t have a shortage as such. As and when the vaccine arrives, we will give vaccination to all. We want to give it to everybody."
Karnataka on Thursday reported 35,297 fresh Covid-19 cases and 344 deaths, taking the total number of infections to 20,88,488 and the toll to 20,712, the state health department said. The Total number of Covid-19 active cases in the state now stands at 5,93,078.
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