Some states intend to create panic; no vaccine shortage in India: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Dismissing allegations of some state governments over vaccine shortage, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said such statements were not based on facts and intended to create panic among the people. He said states were informed in advance about vaccine availability.

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| Updated: Last updated on July 15th, 2021,

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Photo: @mansukhmandviya/twitter

Amid statements from some states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Delhi, regarding shortage and slow availability of COVID19 vaccines in the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya came down heavily on such remarks by the states.

In a series of tweets today on July 14, he said that such statements were not based on facts and intended to create panic among the people. He also dismissed allegations of vaccine shortage in the country.

Responding to the allegations of state governments over the vaccine shortage issue, he said that the central government informed the states about the availability of vaccines in advance.

“This was done so that States are aware of the time and quantity of doses and thereby plan the vaccination drive in a better and effective manner at the State/District level,” said the Union Health Minister.

“The States/UTs have been advised to plan their COVID -19 Vaccination sessions based on the availability of the COVID vaccines so that people of the country do not face any problem,” he added.

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And “if mismanagement and long queues of vaccination beneficiaries are being seen, it is clearly evident what the real issue is and who is responsible for this state of affairs,” he was quoted as saying in the press statement issued by the health ministry.

The Union Health Minister informed that 11.46 crore (114.6 million) vaccine doses were made available to state governments and Union Territories in June 2021. This availability as claimed has been increased to 13.50 crore (135 million) doses in July.

Yesterday, July 13, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the southern state had not received vaccine doses proportionate to its population. Stalin has demanded a special allocation of 10 million vaccine doses.