On the 11th of May, the Central Government asked all state and union territory (UT) governments to complete a second dose of vaccinations to people.
Many states and UTs started vaccinating people between 18 to 44 years of age group, which led to the beneficiaries of the second dose hanging. Considering the situation, the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan directed all the states to complete the vaccination of people waiting for the second doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The Central Government representative also asked to reverse 70 % vaccination (both Covisheild and COVAXIN) for the same.
Rajesh Bhushan said, “In this regard, States can reserve at least 70% of the Vaccines supplied to them from the Government of India channel (free of cost) for second dose vaccination and remaining 30% for first dose. This however is indicative. States have the liberty to enhance this to as much as 100%. State wise numbers on CoWIN have been shared with states for their planning purposes.”
Dr. R.S. Sharma, the Chairman of Empowered Groups of Technology and Data Management and Rajesh Bhushan also warned states over the wastage of vaccine doses All wastage more than the national average hereafter is to be adjusted from the subsequent allocations to the states and UTs. The Union Health Secretary said, “While the overall levels of vaccine wastage have considerably reduced, there are many states which still needed to substantially reduce the wastage. States/UTs should retrain and reorient vaccinators to ensure judicious usage of the vaccines. All wastage more than the national average hereafter is to be adjusted from the subsequent allocations to that State/UT.”
In addition, the Central Government also informed about the allocation of vaccination for 15th to 31st of May. States and UTs would receive vaccination on the 14th of May.
The aforementioned discussions and suggestions were made during a virtual meeting between Rajesh Bhushaj, R.S. Sharna and state government officials. The meeting also discussed the ongoing COVID-19 situation across India and steps to sustain the virus.
Currently India is witnessing a second wave of the Novel Coronavirus.
