Assam does not have COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate in the age group of 18 to 45 yrs

GUWAHATI: The Assam health department is not ready to inoculate people in the age group of 18 to 45 years against COVID-19 from tomorrow.

With few hours left before the scheduled launch of COVID-19 vaccination in the age group of 18 to 45 years, the Assam government today said it was yet to receive vaccines supply from the manufacturers.

The Centre has relaxed COVID-19 vaccination age bar to 18 years and above with effect from tomorrow. However, many states are short of stock to inoculate people in the younger age group. And, Assam too is no exception.

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Interacting with the media here this evening, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “We are yet to receive supply of vaccines from the manufacturers. We have placed orders of 1 crore doses of Covishield with Serum Institute and another 1 crore doses of Covaxin with Bharat Biotech. But, the consignments are yet to be delivered.”

“I am expecting news on the delivery of vaccine consignments by tonight. The Centre is in touch with the manufacturers and is expected to specify as certain formula to distribute vaccines among various states,” he added.

Thousands of people have already registered themselves on the Centre's Cowin portal for the vaccination, he added.

A total of 24,66,321 people have received vaccines so far in the state. This include 5,31,155who have received both doses and 19,35,166 who have been administered only the first dose.