People under the age of 45 will not be able to get Covaxin shots from tomorrow due to low supply levels over the next four days, according to the department, which is asking the federal government to ensure uninterrupted supplies. They estimate that stocks of the other coronavirus vaccine, Covishield, will last nine days.
For frontline staff and others over 45, there are four days of Covaxin left. For those who got their first dose about four weeks ago, the shots are needed.
On Monday, Delhi, which was hit by a second outbreak of the coronavirus, entered its fourth week of lockdown, with stricter restrictions such as the closure of the suburban rail network, and residents scrambling for insufficient hospital beds and oxygen supplies.
On Wednesday, the national capital announced 13,287 new coronavirus cases and 300 new deaths, while the positivity rate fell to 17%, the lowest in nearly a month but a drop due to lower research figures.
With about 3.5 lakh cases and 4,000 deaths recorded every day, India is in the midst of a major COVID-19 outbreak. Hospitals and morgues are at capacity, emergency personnel are drained, and oxygen and medications are in limited supply.
According to certain researchers, the total number of cases and deaths may be five to ten times greater.
Despite becoming the world’s largest vaccine producer, India has only managed to completely inoculate 2.5 percent of its population as of Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government accused of failing to purchase adequate vaccines in time.
Faced with popular outrage over the government’s treatment of the pandemic and a botched vaccination program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top party leaders have initiated a campaign to highlight the government’s “good” behavior.
