Karnataka govt suspends jabs for 18-44 age group
Entire stock of vaccines with govt will be used for 2nd jab of 45+ age group beneficiaries
BENGALURU:
Staring at the huge mismatch between demand for and supply of Covid vaccines, the Karnataka government has announced, albeit belatedly, that it is suspending vaccinations for the 18-44 years age group “till further orders”. This will undoubtedly come as a big disappointment to thousands of people in this age group who have already registered online for the jab.
A release issued by the Karnataka Health Department in its media WhatsApp group states: “Vaccination for 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointment) will be temporarily suspended from 14.05.2021 till further orders. This order will be applicable for Covid vaccination at all Government Covid vaccination centres in the state.”
Older group prioritised
An official source said that the state government had on May 7 decided to utilise the complete supply of vaccines provided by the Union government for the second dose of vaccination for persons in the 45+ age group.
On Wednesday, the state government also decided that the vaccines procured directly by the state government for vaccination of the 18-44 age group will be utilised for the second jab for beneficiaries in the 45+ age group.
As a result, all the vaccines currently available with the state government (ie., supplied by the Centre as well as procured directly from the manufacturers by the state government) will be utilized for vaccination of 45+ group beneficiaries due for the 2nd dose.
In this regard, vaccination for the 18-44 age group (including those who have already booked appointments) will be temporarily suspended from May 14 “till further orders.”
The order will be applicable for Covid vaccinations at all government Covid vaccination centres in the state.
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