The Government on Thursday dismissed reports alleging non-transparent distribution of the jabs and clarified that allocation of Covid-19 vaccines to a State is done based on its population, caseload, utilisation efficiency and wastage factors.
It termed the allegations by a certain media of non-transparent distribution of vaccines among states "completely without any basis, and not fully informed".
It said that more than 1.89 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and Union territories. "Over two crore vaccine doses have been administered in the first 72 hours of the implementation of the new revised guidelines of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme," the ministry said in a statement here.
“Distribution of Covid-19 vaccine is done on the parameters- population of a state, Caseload or disease burden, and State’s utilisation efficiency. The allocation is negatively affected by the vaccine wastage,” said the statement here.
So far, more than 30 crore (30,33,27,440) vaccine doses have been administered by the Centre to states/UTs since the massive vaccination drive began on January 16. More than 58.34 lakh vaccine doses were given to the eligible beneficiaries on Wednesday, according to the Ministry.
In the new phase of the universalisation of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Centre will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by vaccine manufacturers in the country to states/UTs, it added..