Sufficient doses of COVID-19 vaccine available for all states: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi: As India witnessed a steady rise in COVID-19 cases for the 30th day in a row, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan dismissed the claims regarding the shortage of vaccines across BJP-ruled and non-BJP-ruled states.

Over 9.1 crore vaccine doses have been utilised, while 2.4 crore are in stock and 1.9 crore vaccines are in the pipeline, the minister said in a tweet on Thursday, indicating that there are sufficient doses available for all states. Releasing the figures, he tweeted, “Let’s put an end to fear mongering now! #COVID19 vaccine doses: total administered: 9 cr+ In stock/nearing delivery to states: 4.3 cr+ Where does question of shortages arise? We’re continuously monitoring and enhancing supply.”

“Hue and cry by certain states about partisanship by the Union government is just a farce, an attempt to hide their own incompetence. Maharashtra and Rajasthan are 2 of the top 3 states based on allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses. Both are non-BJP governed states,” Vardhan said in another tweet.

People above the age of 45 are currently eligible for vaccination. Vardhan also said the allegations of vaccine shortage are utterly baseless and the states, including Maharashtra need to improve the implementation of their testing and containment strategies and vaccination drive.

He said the “lackadaisical” attitude of the Maharashtra government has “singularly bogged down” the entire country’s efforts to fight the virus.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday sought to know why the state was getting fewer number of COVID-19 vaccine doses as compared to some other states, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, even as it is leading the vaccination drive and has the highest number of active cases in the country.

(With inputs from PTI)