A day after the Centre opened up the COVID-19 vaccination registration for 18-44 age group, the opposition parties have raised concern over the shortage of vaccines in Karnataka.
Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy sought to know if the government had enough supplies to carry out the massive exercise.
"Karnataka, with a population of seven crore, will need a minimum of 9.1 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine to cover all those eligible for the vaccination. But the shortage of vaccine supplies has resulted in a large chunk of people above 45 years (Phase 3) not receiving even the first dose," said Kumaraswamy, adding that the government should take advantage of the partial lockdown period to carry out door-to-door compulsory vaccination for wider coverage.
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"In Karnataka, persons in the 18-44 years category account for 37 per cent (2.59 crore) and the 45 plus population is 28 per cent (1.96 crore). A total of 9.1 crore doses will be needed as it is a double-dose vaccine. Does the state government and the Centre have enough supplies to walk the talk?," asked Kumaraswamy.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa ruled out any shortage of vaccine even as he admitted that the second wave was testing the state's resilience. "We are making efforts to fulfil the demand for beds, oxygen and ventilators in our hospitals. But the vaccine is the prime weapon in the fight against COVID pandemic. India has successfully developed the vaccines in short time," he said.
Elaborating on the vaccine rollout plan, the chief minister said the vaccination was taken up in three phases—for healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above 45 years of age. And in the fourth phase, the government intended to vaccinate a larger group.
"At the behest of the states, the Centre has liberalised the norms for procurement of vaccines and the implementation plan, too. Karnataka has already administered 93.5 lakh doses out of the 99.4 lakh doses procured from the Centre. We are still left with 5.9 lakh doses and will be procuring one crore doses of vaccine soon. The work order for additional one crore doses has also been placed. The fourth phase of vaccination drive will be taken up in stages," said Yediyurappa.
The chief minister also assured that the pharmaceutical companies were already enhancing their production capacity to meet the increasing demand. "A third vaccine is also being introduced. The drive will be planned to ensure systematic, disciplined and smooth implementation," he added.
