India kicked off the third phase of the much-hyped vaccination drive covering those above the age of 18 years from Saturday at a dismal note as barring six, most States and Union Territories (UTs) deferred the drive due to shortage of vaccine. Total 84,000 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group got inoculated on Day 1.
Even in these six States, the drive was “token”, limited to just a few districts, said an official from the Union Health Ministry. The exercise began at a time when many States are reporting shortage of vaccines on contrary to the Centre’s claim that more than 79 lakh Covid vaccine doses (79,13,518) are still available with the States and Union Territories to be administered.
The Centre has so far claimed to have provided nearly 16.37 crore vaccine doses (16,37,62,300) to States and UTs “free of cost” of which the total consumption, including wastages, is 15,58,48,782 doses.
The Centre has promised to provide more than 17 lakh (17,31,110) vaccine doses to the States and UTs within the next three days. Some private hospitals too started the vaccine process for those in the age group of 18-44 years.
Amid deadly Covid-19 second wave surge, the Centre had said all Indian adults will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine starting May 1. The inoculation process and documents to be provided to get the jab to remain the same. The Government has made it mandatory for the 18-44 age group to register on CoWIN.
They need to get an appointment for vaccination against coronavirus, saying walk-ins will not be allowed initially to avoid “chaos” at immunisation centres once the inoculations drive opens up substantially.
However, the Centre will continue to provide vaccines to States and vaccinate, for free, those over 45.
States on the other hand have to negotiate with vaccine companies the price at which they will buy vaccines. This again will be from the 50 per cent of the vaccines that are made and cleared by the Central Drug Research Laboratory, Kasauli.
The remaining will continue to go to the Centre for its programme.