With the third phase of vaccine drive set to commence from May 1, the registration for all above 18 years for the same will commence at 4pm on Wednesday. "Registration for 18 plus to begin on http://cowin.gov.in, Aarogya Setu App & UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at state govt centers & private centers depending on how many vaccination centers are ready on 1st May for vaccination of 18 plus (sic)," a tweet from the official handle of Aarogya Setu, the central government's mobile application for contact-tracing and dissemination of medical advisories, read.
However, with only two days for the phase three vaccine drive, the million dollar question now everyone is asking is if there would be enough vaccines to vaccinate every adult in the country from May 1. The answer is in the negative from most of the states. And if that is the case, a major crisis awaits the Central and state governments as it is expected that people would rush to get the jabs from May 1 amid the alarming COVID situation in the country.
Here's what major states have said so far:
Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Jharkhand
On Sunday, four opposition-ruled states—Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Jharkhand—informed that they would not be able to begin the drive on May 1 because they did not have enough vaccines. Rajasthan Health Minister was quoted by the Indian Express that Serum Institute was occupied with meeting the delivery of orders from the central government which will be delivered only by May 15. "So the question is, if the states want to procure vaccines directly, what is the process? This the central government should decide. The question before us is, we have 3.13 crore people in the 18-45 age group; how will we vaccinate them?” Sharma asked.
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu seconded Sharma. “There is no way vaccination can be given if the vaccine is not available. The situation is very clear. The Centre is saying that vaccinations have been opened to all…but vaccines are not available. Then the entire nation is being misguided. In a way, an attempt is being made to put the burden on the states and discredit them… saying see, ‘we have opened the vaccinations’,” Sidhu said.
Chhattisgarh claimed that it has been told it will get vaccines only in July. The state government has urged SII to deliver a part of the 2.5 million doses order it has placed with the firm in May itself. "We would not be able to start the vaccination drive for 18-44 year olds in early May," ET quoted state health minister T.S. Singh Deo.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said the state may receive its supply of 'Covishield' vaccine only after May 20. "The Serum Institute of India (SII) has informed the state government that it can supply the 'Covishield' vaccine only after May 20," he said.
He said Maharashtra alone needs 12 crore vaccine vials to inoculate the population of 5.71 crore in the age group of 18 to 44.
Goa
Maharashtra's neighboring state Goa might also not be able to start vaccinating people starting May 1. Director of Health Services Jose D'Sa on Tuesday said that the state has placed orders for five lakh vaccine doses with SII. "SII told us they are not able to provide a vaccine (immediately) as they have to fulfil their commitment to the government of India," he said. "As and when stock is available, they will provide doses to us," he said.
Karnataka
While officially there has been no word from the Yeddiyurappa government if it was facing a vaccine shortage, various media reported that various hospitals in the state were facing severe vaccine shortage, with some even putting up posters about the non-availability of vaccines. Many of those who had registered for the vaccine were asked to return later due to out of stock. The situation seems to be similar at government primary health centres.
Kerala
Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Tuesday tweeted that there is a visible lack of shortage in vaccine distribution. "We need daily production of more than 65 lakh doses if we are to cover the entire population above age 18. But daily production is only 30 lakh doses. What is the agenda of the central govt to boost production? Stop vaccine exports for now. A program to expand the capacity?... There is no sufficient production of vaccine in India to supply states demand. The centres move to earmark 18-45 age group for vaccination by states through direct procurement is a clever political ploy to put blame on states for the confusion that is inevitable," he said in a series of tweets.
Odisha and Haryana
Odisha, which has placed an order for over a million Covaxin and 37.7 million Covishield doses, is reportedly yet to hear back from SII, while Bharat Biotech has indicated that it could supply the doses by mid-May. The Haryana government says that it has not received any tentative date from the companies about delivery of the vaccines.
What the Centre says
Despite the chorus for speeding up vaccine supply by the state governments, the Central government is still in denial mode. On Tuesday, it said that more than one crore vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, and another 80 lakh doses will reach them in the next three days. The government of India has so far provided 15,65,26,140 vaccine doses to the states and UTs free of cost, it said.
"It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on April 27 (at 8 am) are 1,58,62,470. Of this, the total consumption, including wastage (0.22 per cent), was 1,49,39,410," the Union Health Ministry said.
However, the ground situation is far from true with many who receive the first dose of vaccination turning up for the second dose. Apparently, many vaccination centres are prioritising those coming for their second dose over those coming for their first jab due to limited supply.
