Govt says over 1 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses still available with states, UTs

In wake of several states claiming that they don't have enough stock of the coronavirus vaccine, the Centre on Wednesday said that over one crore doses are still available with the states and union territories.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also informed that another 57 lakh doses will be received by the states in the next three days.

In a statement, the ministry said that so far, the Centre has provided 15,95,96,140 vaccine doses to states and union territories free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 14,89,76,248 doses.

The ministry further said that there have been some media reports recently quoting some Maharashtra state government officials pointing out that the vaccines in the state are finished, thereby adversely impacting the vaccination drive in the state.

"It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as of April 28, 2021, (at 8 am) are 1,58,62,470. Of this, the total consumption including wastage (0.22 per cent) was 1,53,56,151. Balance of 5,06,319 vaccine doses is still available with the state for administration to the eligible population groups," the ministry said.

Delhi has received 36,90,710 doses and the total consumption has been 32, 43,300 whereas Uttar Pradesh has received 1,37,96,780 doses and the total consumption, including wastage, is 1,25,03,943. The state has a balance availability of 12,92,837 doses and 7,00,000 doses are in the pipeline.

Furthermore, 5,00,000 doses of the COVID vaccine are in the pipeline for delivery in the next three days.

The Centre on April 19 had announced a ''liberalised'' policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. It has also allowed state governments and private hospitals to purchase vaccines from manufacturers.

Registration for the newly eligible population groups commenced from Wednesday at 4 pm. Potential beneficiaries can either register directly on CoWIN portal (cowin.gov.in) or through the Aarogya Setu app.

(With ANI inputs)