Vaccine for 18+ in Telangana likely from June
Due to challenges in production and sheer demand, almost all major vaccine manufacturing companies in Hyderabad and elsewhere in the country are busy delivering their Covid vaccine commitments made for the month of May, after which vaccine availability could improve.
Hyderabad: The State government is likely to launch the free Covid-19 vaccination drive for individuals between 18 and 44 years of age in Telangana after May. Due to challenges in production and sheer demand, almost all major vaccine manufacturing companies in Hyderabad and elsewhere in the country are busy delivering their Covid vaccine commitments made for the month of May, after which vaccine availability could improve.
“We were told by the vaccine manufacturers that by June or July, the status of vaccine production will improve. By that time, more Covid vaccines, manufactured by other companies including single-dose vaccine of Johnson and Johnson, will also be available in the country.
This could further ease the demand,” Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said here on Wednesday.
The Chief Secretary also made it clear that due to challenges in sourcing and getting a right price for the Covid vaccines, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting these difficulties and seeking the Centre’s intervention.
“We need nearly 3.5 crore doses of Covid vaccine at the right price and at the right time so that the entire population of 1.5 crore individuals between 18 years and 44 years in Telangana can be vaccinated at one go. Holding talks with vaccine manufacturers at the State-level for such terms is difficult and there is a definite need for the Centre to intervene,” he said.
As a result of these difficulties, Covid vaccination for individuals between 18 and 44 years at government and private hospitals in Telangana was put on hold while continuing with vaccination for persons above 45 years, he said.
“We need to have a substantial stock of vaccines before starting to vaccinate individuals between 18 years and 44 years. The Centre has a greater control over vaccine manufacturing companies and that’s the reason why it has to play a more active role in sourcing and fixing of the price of the vaccines,” Somesh Kumar said.
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