Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa symbolically launched the fourth phase of the vaccination drive (for the 18-44 yrs) at the Vajpayee medical college (Bowring hospital) in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Responding to apprehensions over severe shortage of Covid vaccines that has slowed down the vaccination drive in the state, the chief minister assured that the state was procuring two crore doses shortly to ease the situation.
"The vaccines are an effective tool to fight the pandemic. We have already administered 96.5 lakh doses to the 45+ yrs category. Today, we are taking another significant step towards fighting Covid-19 by opening up vaccination for 18-44 years category, which covers nearly 3.26 crore people," said Yediyurappa, adding that in addition to the two Swadeshi vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin), the state would be importing a third vaccine to expedite the vaccination drive this month.
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"We will administer vaccines to the 18+ years category and we already have four lakh doses in stock. We are hopeful that the imported vaccine will enhance the vaccination coverage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to ensuring the entire population is vaccinated," said Yediyurappa.
The CM also urged the people to extend cooperation to tide over the second wave of the pandemic and also warned the blackmarketeers of Covid medicines and vaccines of stern action.
"The private hospitals have been authorised to administer the vaccines and we have also fixed the price of vaccines. We will initiate stern action against the blackmarketeers," said Yediyurappa.
