THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An additional 2.80 crore vaccines will be required in the state to implement the central government's decision to provide Covid vaccine to those above 18 years of age. There are 1.41 crore people between the ages of 18 and 45 in the state. Currently, the vaccine is given to people over 45 years of age. So far, the state received 62 lakhs vials of vaccines. The state will need around 1.5 crore vaccines to complete the vaccination of those above 45 years.

So far, more than 50 lakh people have been given at least one Covid vaccine in 2,000 centres across the state. So far, 62 lakh vials of vaccine have reached the state. Health Minister KK Shailaja has demanded that an additional 50 lakh vials of vaccines should be given to the state immediately. It has been reported that 12 lakh vials will be reach the state in two days. There are 1.15 crore people above the age of 45 in the state. It will take at least another four months one and a half crore vials of vaccine to vaccinate this age group. Only 6.5 lakh people have been vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. Half of them are government officials assigned to election duty, police and health workers.

If those over 18 years of age are to be vaccinated, the number of vaccination centres should be increased and more facilities should be set up to store the vaccine. Those who come to get the second dose of the vaccine should be given priority. Health department officials said they were waiting for guidance from the central government. The vaccine should be delivered to private institutions and hospitals, and facilities should be provided to receive the vaccine on payment. Vaccination and mass vaccination camps are being considered at all primary health centres.