Chhattisgarh Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo on Thursday wrote to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan demanding that coronavirus vaccine Covaxin should not be supplied to Chhattisgarh.
Singh Deo reasoned that the clinical trials of phase-3 of Covaxin is yet to be completed and this has led to a sense of hesitancy in its use.
In an earlier letter addressed to Dr Harsh Vardhan, Singh Deo had pointed out that the vials of Covaxin do not display expiry dates.
“We would be more than happy to vaccinate our beneficiaries with Covaxin doses once the results of clinical trials of phase-3 is completed and shared,” Singh Deo said in the letter.
"I will reiterate that kindly do not have Covaxin sent for now as the vaccine will not be usable ... being under emergency clinical trial."
He said 1,67,852 healthcare workers in Chhattisgarh have been vaccinated with the first dose of Covid vaccine by February 8, which is more than 61 percent of the State’s target.
Singh Deo said Chhattisgarh has got 37,760 doses of Covaxin and in March will receive 149,120 doses.Vaccination in Chhattisgarh started from January 16.