May 1 Vaccine Rollout For Above 18 Non-Starter In Most States; Odisha An Exception

New Delhi: April 19 was initially considered to be a significant day as far as India’s battle against COVID-19 pandemic is concerned.

It was on that day the Union government announced all above 18 years of age will be eligible to get the vaccine from May 1.

But realization soon dawned on all stakeholders – from vaccine manufacturers to young adults to state governments – that the Centre’s intention may be noble, but will there be enough stocks to cater to the massive increase in demand once all adults are eligible for the jab?

More importantly, the Centre has made it clear for the next phase of vaccination, covering the largest part of the population, beneficiaries will have to depend on stocks acquired by state governments and private hospitals directly from the manufacturers.

The evening before the scheduled rollout of vaccination for those above 18, it looks to be a non-starter in most states as they don’t have adequate supply of vaccines.

Odisha is an exception, though. The state received the first consignment of its own procurement (Covaxin) for vaccination of 18-44 age-group.

On May 1, Odisha will have a trial, symbolic commencement for this age-group with vaccination of a token few beneficiaries.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to people to queue outside vaccination centres on May 1.

“Vaccines have not been delivered to us yet. We are in regular touch with companies making the vaccine. We are hopeful that they will reach up by tomorrow or day after. This is what they have told us. 3 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine will be delivered first. Please do not line up outside vaccination centres tomorrow. It can result in a law and order situation. It could also lead to a situation where there is no social distancing. Please do not do this,” Kejriwal appealed.

Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Thursday said it is likely that the inoculation drive for the 18-44 age group will start only in September, after all those above 45 have got their second dose.

A senior official of Telangana health department said the state government is in touch with vaccine manufacturers, but there is no certainty on when stocks would be available for the vaccination of above 18.

Bihar has not been able to procure the required amounts of vaccine to administer it to people above 18, so it’s unlikely to start the process on Saturday.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has stated that his state won’t start vaccination for the 18-44 age group on May 1 but will continue vaccinating people over 45 years.

As for Maharashtra, Serum Institute will provide 3 lakh doses to the state, but Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state won’t start mass vaccination with such a small stock.

Even in Gujarat, commencement of inoculation for all adults is uncertain after Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said his state doesn’t have enough stock.

Rajasthan has ruled out the rollout on May 1 as Serum Institute has said they won’t be to supply doses in bulk before May 15.

Ditto for Chhattisgarh.

As for Punjab, Assam and Jharkhand, chances of mass vaccination beginning on Saturday are remote.