3 days on, 18+continue to wait for inoculation

Owing to shortage of vaccines, inoculation drive for the age group has been stopped for 3 days

Nearly three-fourth people in the age group of 18 to 45 years in Rajasthan wait for their Covid-19 inoculation due to shortage of the vaccines.

The vaccination drive for the age group has been stopped for the last three days, officials said.

As of now, Covid-19 vaccination for the 45-60 years age group and older people is underway in the state.

There are around 50 million people of 18 years and above in Rajasthan, of whom 10.39 million have been vaccinated so far, which is nearly 28% of the total population in the category.

According to government officials, 72% people of 18 years and above age have not received even a single shot of Covid-19 vaccine.

There are nearly 20.88 million people in the 18-45 years age group, of whom only 1839,000 have received the first shot of Covid-19 vaccines.

Secretary, medical and health and family welfare department, Siddharth Mahajan said, “It will take another five days for commencement of the vaccination 18 to 45 years age group.

“Vaccines for the young age group will arrive to state by June 9,” he informed.

“The Covid-19 vaccines for the age group of 18 to 45 years would arrive in next 4 days which would comprise 900,000 doses of Covishield and 325,000 doses of Covaxin,” said an official familiar with the developments.

The vaccination drive is running in three-age categories in the state, including 18-45 years, 45 to 60 years and 60 years and above. While 90% people of 60 years age and above have received the first shot of Covid-19 vaccines, 35% people of the group have got both the shots.

But inoculation drive for the 18-45 age population continues to move at snail’s pace due to shortage of vaccines. “Rajasthan was among the leading states across the country in vaccination – the state in a day has vaccinated over 0.55 million people, which can be increased to 0.7 million provided the vaccine is available. But with inadequate availability of vaccine, the pace couldn’t be maintained,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

The vaccine wastage is zero in the age group of 18-45 years and less than 2% in people above 45 years age.

It will take another five days for commencement of the vaccination for 18 to 45 years age group...vaccines for the group will arrive by June 9

HT FILE/HIMANSHU VYAS According to government officials, 72% people of 18 years to 45 years age group have not received even a single shot of Covid-19 vaccine.