Kerala dealing with vaccine scarcity, requested Centre for extra doses: Health Minister Veena George

By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Kerala’s general COVID-19 circumstances crossed the 41 lakh mark, state Health Minister Veena George on Friday stated the state is dealing with vaccine scarcity and the Covishield inventory is totally over in no less than six districts, following which the federal government has requested for extra vaccine doses from the Centre.

The districts- Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur- are dealing with the scarcity of Covishield and just one.4 lakh doses are remaining within the state’s reserve however all districts have restricted inventory of Covaxin, she stated.

The southern state is eyeing to finish the vaccination of all these aged above 18 years this month itself, which requires extra jabs, the minister stated right here in an announcement.

“The state is once again facing vaccine shortage.Almost all districts are suffering the scarcity. The Centre has been asked to provide more vaccine doses for the smooth continuation of the drive,” George stated.

Pointing out that many individuals are reluctant to take Covaxin, she stated there isn’t any want to fret about receiving the nation’s indigenous jab and each vaccines are efficient in addition to protected.

George stated the state has achieved one other goal within the vaccine drive as 75 per cent of individuals, aged above 18 years, have been given the primary dose.

This would comprise 2,15,27,035 individuals of the overall 3.58 crore inhabitants of the state, she stated, including that of them, 27.74 per cent individuals (79,60,935) had obtained the second dose additionally.

According to the estimated inhabitants of 2021, it’s 60.81 per cent and 22.49 per cent respectively.

With this, a complete of two,94,87,970 individuals have obtained both the primary dose or each doses of vaccine.

Strenuous efforts taken by the state as a part of the vaccination drive, had helped obtain this aim so shortly.

“Over 86 lakh doses could be given in the month of August alone. The government is aiming to complete the vaccination of those aged above 18 years this month itself. This requires more vaccine doses,” the minister added.

Kerala’s general Covid circumstances breached 41 lakh as its constantly excessive day by day numbers confirmed no indicators of a let-up, with the state as soon as once more witnessing over 30,000 new infections yesterday.

The state, which recorded the nation’s first coronavirus case in early 2020, reported 32,097 new COVID-19 infections and 188 deaths on Thursday, which pushed the overall an infection rely to 41,22,133 and the fatalities to 21,149.