Karnataka government today decided that all the vaccine doses available with it, either supplied by the central government or procured directly by the state government, will be utilised for beneficiaries who are due for their second dose.

“In this regard vaccination for 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointment) will be temporarily suspended from 14.05.2021 till further orders,” reads the state government order. This order is applicable for COVID vaccination at all government vaccination centres in the state.

On May 7, the state government had decided to utilise the complete supply of vaccines provided by the Indian government for vaccination of persons above 45 years, and for vaccinating beneficiaries who were due for second dose.

Now, the state government has decided to temporarily suspend vaccination of 18-44 years age group.

A similar decision was taken by the Maharashtra government today. Rajesh Tope, the state health minister said that due to vaccine shortage, vaccination for 18-44 years has been suspended and all the doses purchased by the state will be diverted for the 45+ category.

Meanwhile, in a press conference today morning, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that to vaccinate all the people of Delhi, the Delhi government had asked for 13.4 million vaccine doses. Of these, it had asked for 6.7 million from Serum India’s Covishied and 6.7 million from Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. 

Also Read: We asked for 67 lakh Covaxin doses, vaccine company said cannot provide: Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia

On May 11, in a letter from Bharat Biotech, the vaccine manufacturer had informed the Delhi government that it was unable to provide the required doses because of which about 100 Covaxin vaccination centres in 17 schools had to be shut down, said Sisodia.

Both Sisodia and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have demanded the central government should stop export of COVID19 vaccine.

On May 8, Indian Medical Association (IMA), a national voluntary organisation of medical doctors, had lashed out at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alleging a lack of transparency in reporting of COVID19 deaths in the country.

In its press statement, the IMA said it made persistent calls for vaccination of all in the 18 to 45 years of age. It is ‘unfortunate’ that the ministry has failed to make the necessary required road map and ensure vaccine stock. As a result, vaccination could not be rolled out at the majority of the places, the IMA said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured that with phase three of the vaccination drive in the country, vaccination for those above 18 years of age would begin from May 1. However, the same could not be started at many places, said IMA.

Also Read: IMA lashes out at the health ministry over COVID death data, vaccine shortage and oxygen supply issues