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'No vaccine shortage, attempts by state govts to spread panic': Harsh Vardhan
Harsh Vardhan slammed what he called 'deplorable' attempts by some state governments to distract attention from their failures and spread panic among the people.
Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday condemned what he called 'deplorable' attempts by some state governments to distract attention from their failures and called them out for their 'irresponsible statements' in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. His statement comes in the wake of Maharashtra health minister's comment that his state is facing shortage of Covid-19 vaccine stock.
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"At a time when the country is witnessing a fresh wave of rising Covid-19 infections, I am alarmed to note the fact that many State governments have failed to take appropriate response measures and apply the lessons that the nation has learned over the past one year of handling this pandemic," Harsh Vardhan said.
Targeting Maharashtra over the state health minister's remarks, he said, "The inability of Maharashtra government to act responsibly is beyond comprehension. To spread panic among the people is to compound the folly further. Vaccine supplies are being monitored on a real-time basis, and state governments are being apprised regularly about it. Allegations of vaccine shortage are utterly baseless."
Terming the demands made by some leaders to open up vaccination to everyone above the age of 18 'most concerning', the union health minister said the vaccination strategy was dependent on the the demand-supply dynamics. "The vaccination strategy has been drawn up after extensive deliberations and consultations in partnership with all state governments," he said.
Reiterating the need to prioritise certain categories of citizens over others when it comes to vaccination, he said the supply of vaccines was limited and this was the only possible way forward.
"When states ask to open up vaccine supplies to everyone over 18, we must presume that they have done saturation coverage of healthcare workers, frontline workers and senior citizens. But the facts are altogether different," he said, further sharpening his attack.
Maharashtra has vaccinated just only 86% of health workers with first dose, 41% with second dose, and among frontline workers, the state has vaccinated only 73% with first dose, he said.
"When it comes to senior citizens, Maharashtra has vaccinated just 25%, Delhi has vaccinated 30% & Punjab has vaccinated only 13%. There are 4 states/UTs that have already vaccinated more than 50%," he added.
