Karnataka May Run Out Of COVID Vaccines In A Few Days, Wants 12 Lakh Shots To Inoculate People
As the race against time to vaccinate more and more people against COVID-19 is on amid the rapid spread of the second wave, Karnataka is facing another crisis.
According to reports, the state may run out of COVID-19 vaccine shots, in a matter of days.
Local media quoting sources in the State Health Ministry reported that Karnataka has vaccine stocks that will suffice only for the next four days.
Vaccination programme could be derailed
Karnataka has set a target of vaccinating 3 lakh persons a day, but with the shortage in supply, there is a fear that the programme could be derailed.
However, Health Secretary Jawaid Akhtar said this shortage will be there for two days and that requests for additional supplies have already been made to the Centre.
The state is expecting the next consignment of 12 lakh doses in the next couple of days to keep its vaccine roll out on the track.
Odisha also faces shortage
This, however, is not an isolated case. Odisha might have to stop its coronavirus immunisation drive for four days starting at the end of March because of a shortage of vaccine doses.
In a letter to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare dated March 22, P.K. Mohapatra, Odisha's additional chief secretary for health, warned the state only had enough doses to run its vaccination drive until March 30. It is expecting another batch of the Covishield, only on April 2.
"We will have no vaccines for 4 days," he said. "Hence, adequate doses of Covishield vaccine may be supplied in time so as to continue uninterrupted vaccination drive in our state. Your urgent attention is drawn to the above issue."
Even Rajasthan
Other states, including Rajasthan, have also flagged a supply crunch, even though the central government has advised limiting vaccinations to the elderly and people above 45 suffering from other health conditions.
What Health Ministry says
Last week, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said that the government is taking stock of the vaccines available with the states on a daily basis and the supply of vaccines to other countries was not at the cost of national interest.
Responding to a question on the Rajasthan government's claim that there is a shortage in COVID-19 vaccine stock, Bhushan said the central government regularly monitors the availability of vaccine supply in all states and UTs and their consumption on a daily basis.
The vaccine stock availability is reviewed every morning.
"Data of the usage and consumption of COVID-19 vaccine comes from states. The central government does not vaccinate people. It just makes the vaccines available at free of cost in government facilities and at a fixed rate in private health facilities.?
"According to data available as part of the daily review meeting held today morning, and even three days ago, there was no shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in any state in the country," he said.
