Covid-19: Kejriwal urges Centre to order vaccines for 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," chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

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 CM at a drive-in vaccine camp at Chhatrasal Stadium on Saturday. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

“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.

Central government spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment.