States Prepare For Phase 3 Vaccinations; Some Say Not Enough Doses

The centre, which has been inoculating frontline workers and those aged 45 and above, this month announced expansion of the national vaccination drive from May 1.

Several states have said they will not be able start vaccinations of the 18-44 age group against the coronavirus from Saturday because of a shortage of vaccine doses, sources say. The centre, which has been inoculating frontline workers and those aged 45 and above, this month announced expansion of the national vaccination drive from May 1 after the rapid second Covid wave triggered spurts of cases and deaths across the country. Per the revised rules, the centre will receive 50 per cent of the vaccines supplied; states and private hospitals will get the remaining doses. Many states have said they will vaccinate people for free. Maharashtra Maharashtra is the worst-affected state in the country. It had been asking the centre to open inoculations for all adults. The Uddhav Thackeray government today announced that it will provide free Covid vaccinations to those aged between 18 and 44. The government will buy vaccine doses worth Rs 6,500 for this purpose; it is in touch with Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech - the manufacturers of two of the three vaccines approved for use in India. In Mumbai, people aged 45 and above will be vaccinated at the existing 63 facilities. 227 new vaccination centres will be opened for the 18-44 group. The number of private facilities will be increased to 100-plus. Sources, however, say the city may not be able to start vaccinations from Saturday because of lack of vaccine doses.