Delhi hits 5 million jabs but few doses left for 18+

The national capital has all but run out of coronavirus vaccines for adults below the age of 45, the Delhi government said on Friday, announcing that centres catering to this age group will be shut from Saturday with no new stocks expected for the rest of the month. Private hospitals administering vaccines to people in this age group will, however, continue to function.

The announcement came on a day the Capital hit an important landmark, administering over 5 million vaccine doses – including first and second shots – since the exercise began on January 16. According to the Delhi government, at least 800,000 of these were given to people in 18-44 age group, for whom the drive began on May 1.

“Delhi has crossed total 50 lakh (5 million) vaccination doses benchmark today (including first and second dose). But it’s unfortunate that we have to close our centres for 18+ age group because of non-availability of vaccine,” said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

Overall, about 26% of the population has received at least one dose -- the latest electoral rolls put Delhi adult population at about 15 million -- although the recipients are likely to include people from the neighbouring NCR towns of Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. Of the 5 million jabs, only 1.13 million, or 23%, are second shots.

NEW DELHI:

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

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5%

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April 1 new Covid-19 cases in Delhi on Friday, the lowest in 50 days

The seven-day average of new cases is now the lowest since April 8

Apr 28

May 21

Fall in active cases in 23 days — from 99,752 on April 28 to 35,683 on Friday