NEW DELHI: Only nine states were able to start vaccination drive to those between the age group of 18 and 44 years. The remaining 21 states are yet to implement the next phase of vaccination as they are still awaiting supplies of vaccine doses.
The central government had decided to open the Covid-19 vaccination drive for all adults from May 1. Since then, several states across the country have been demanding more vaccines to continue the immunisation drive for those above 18 years of age.
States that have started vaccinating people between 18 and 44 years include Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu Kashmir, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
These nine states have been given vaccine supply for the month of May. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan have received 3 lakh vaccines doses each. Delhi has received 4.5 lakh doses, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh have received 1.5 lakh doses each. A total of 22,50,000 vaccine doses have given to these nine states so far.
Out of these nine states, Gujarat has vaccinated the most, inoculating a total of 1,08,191 doses. Rajasthan has so far administered 76,151 doses, Maharashtra 73,714 doses and Delhi 40,028 doses.
Except Delhi, all states have some stock of vaccine left for the month of May, as per the government's data available till May 4.
India has vaccinated around 600 million people between the age group of 18 to 40 years.
Apart from this, there are 200 million people above the age of 45 years who are yet to be given the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
The Serum Institute of India is expected to deliver 7 million doses in May, while Bharat Biotech may make an additional 20 million doses.
States are constantly demanding vaccines so that people can get themselves vaccinated as early as possible.
Besides, the central government said a total of more than 16 crore vaccines have been administered in India so far.