No Vaccines For 18-44 In Government Centres From Tomorrow In Karnataka

Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said authorities were not prepared for the enormous rush of people in this age group wanting to get vaccinated due to the ferocious second wave of Covid infections.

Starting tomorrow, those in the 18-44 age group, including those who have a confirmed slot, will not be able to get vaccine shots against Covid in government health centres in Karnataka, according to the state health department. Instead, vaccines will be reserved for those over 45 awaiting their second dose. Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said authorities were not prepared for the enormous rush of people in this age group wanting to get vaccinated due to the ferocious second wave of Covid infections. "Earlier, when the government announced vaccination for 45 and above, there was not so much rush. So on the basis of that we thought we could go ahead with the 18 to 45 people. But as soon as the second wave became big, people started rushing in. What we predicted... there was a little confusion," said DV Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, and an MP from Karnataka. Hamstrung by vaccine shortages, most states have been struggling to vaccinate its people even as the centre okayed those above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.