With just one day for the kick-off of COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 3, we’ve compiled a list of states that have delayed vaccinations to those above 18. On May 1, India will be initiating its 3rd phase of vaccination drive which will see every adult above 18 being administered the vaccine.
However, with each passing day, one state after the other have been issuing notices saying it will not be able to inoculate those above 18 anytime soon.
Maharashtra, New Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat are contributing heavily to the daily caseload and yet haven’t been able to procure enough vaccines for citizens above 18.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on April 29 announced that the state will not be able to commence the vaccination drive for those above 18 unless it is able to procure at least 25-30 lakh vaccines. BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) also announced that Mumbai will have all the vaccination centers closed for 3 days from April 30 due to inadequate vaccines.
New Delhi
Delhi CM Kejriwal took to Twitter today and gave a virtual conference urging those above 18 to not queue up as there are no vaccines yet.
“We’ve not received vaccines yet, and we are constantly in touch with manufacturers. We are hopeful that in the next two days the vaccines will arrive. Meanwhile, those who have registered at the vaccination platform, please don’t queue up as it could lead to breach of social distancing norms,” said the Delhi CM.
He also said that the Delhi govt will announce once it gets vaccines and soon those above 18 will be able to get administered.
Madhya Pradesh
On April 29, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that vaccination for those between 18-44 will not initiate from May 1 as the state doesn’t have enough vaccine. In a video message posted on Twitter, Singh announced that he is hopeful that the state will start getting vaccine doses by May 3, after which the state will shape up as to how young people can get vaccinated.
Punjab
The state of Punjab has also announced that it will not be starting the 3rd phase of the vaccination drive for those above 18 due to vaccine shortage. The Punjab Health Department said that it will get the vaccine delivery schedule by April 30. “No assurance has been given by the two vaccine manufactures about the delivery. But in a meeting through video conferencing, the Centre on Thursday assured the states that the manufactures will convey about the supply of doses tomorrow,” Punjab Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Hussan Lal said.
Gujarat
Vijay Rupani, Gujarat CM, announced on April 29 that the 3rd Phase of drive will start by May 15 latest instead of May 1 as announced by the Centre. The CM also said that he is hopeful that the state will receive vaccine doses to start the process in 15 days.
Karnataka
Recently, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar also announced that the vaccination for those between 18-44 will not start on May 1. The minister said that the state is yet to receive details from vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India to kick off the drive. He also said that the state has more than 30 million people that are between 18-44 and the state will announce the relevant information on their vaccination once it has more clarity.
Andhra Pradesh
As per Hindustan Times, a Andhra Pradesh senior official stated that the drive may not initiate by May 1 as planned. The issue remains the same, the state not being able to procure vaccines from manufacturers. The senior official has claimed that the vaccine manufactures have received letters by the State officials about the vaccine supplies and a confirmation letter is awaited. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s office claimed that looking at the stocks’ availability, the vaccination process for the entire country may not be completed by January 2022.
Jammu & Kashmir
Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner and Health and Medical Education, said that J&K will be receiving the desired quantity of vaccines by May 20. He also said that although the registration is open, the actual process of vaccination will not start from May 1. “It will begin from a date to be announced later once the vaccine supply is established,” the Department of Information and PR announced on Twitter.
