Kejriwal urges Centre to order vaccines for states
NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday asked the Centre not to resort to “petty politics” and urged it to buy vaccines for all states.
“The central government should procure the vaccines, and after doing so, they should give them to us and we will administer them to everyone. This is not the time for petty politics. This is not the time to play a blame game. This is not the time for finger-pointing. This is not the time for debate and counter. The country is suffering from a pandemic,” said Kejriwal, who was speaking to reporters after launching a drive-through vaccination centre for the 45+ age group at Chhatrasal Stadium.
“We have filed a global tender for vaccines. We are making all the efforts from our side, but till now, all the other governments that filed a global tender have not been able to get any positive result. On a general note, what I have understood is that all the big vaccine manufacturing companies of the world want to deal directly with the central government... So only time will tell as to how successful different state governments will be, but we have filed a global tender from our side,” he said.
Kejriwal said the Delhi government has started a drive-in vaccination facility at Chhatrasal stadium. “People can come here in their cars, motorcycles, even on foot, and can get vaccinated here. The vaccination is free at this centre. Right now, this has been initiated for those above the age of 45 because there is no vaccine for younger people. As soon as adequate jabs arrive, vaccination for those below the age of 45 (18-45 years) will also be started,” he said.
On black fungus, the CM said there are about 450 cases in Delhi government hospitals. “We have demanded the medicines accordingly... there is a countrywide paucity of medicines. The central government is giving whatever it can. As I understand, more injections of this medicine will be procured and be distributed to all the state governments,” he said.
Central government spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment.