Delhi will be forced to shut vaccination centres for 18-44 age group due to acute vaccine shortage, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Saturday. "Vaccine stock for this category has been consumed. Due to this, their vaccination centres have been shut. Only a few vaccines are available at some centres which will be administered today," Kejriwal said during a virtual press meet.
The chief minister extended four suggestions to the Centre to enhance vaccine availability in the country. "Some countries have stored more vaccines than what they need; the Centre should request them to give those vaccines to India... The Centre should buy COVID-19 vaccines from foreign countries within 24 hours and distribute these among states," he said.
The Delhi CM also requested the Central government to allow foreign companies to produce vaccines in India. "The Centre should order all companies to make vaccines as Bharat Biotech has agreed to share Covaxin's formula with other firms," he urged.
Delhi needs 80 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses a month to inoculate the entire population of the national capital. "We need 2.5 crore doses, but got 16 lakh in May and will get 8 lakh in June," Kejriwal said.