Vaccinating 18-45 age groups seems impossible for India

India is the first country to report more than 400,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day, as its nationwide vaccine drive launches amid a supply crisis.

Saturday, 1st May 2021

Vaccinating 18-45 age groups seems impossible for India

India is the first country to report more than 400,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day, as its nationwide vaccine drive launches amid a supply crisis. Some 3,523 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours - but the real figure is thought to be far higher as many deaths go unreported. As of today, all adults in India are likely to be vaccinated. But over 16 Indian states said they don't have the vaccines to carry out the exercise. India had previously concentrated on protecting frontline workers and the over-45s. The country faces acute shortages of therapeutic oxygen and hospital beds, as a disastrous next wave of coronavirus batters its health system. Meanwhile, a fire at a hospital in the westernmost city of Bharuch killed 12 people in the early moments of Saturday, the latest in many deadly hospital fires across the country this week. How is India's rollout going? About 150 million shots have been given, equal to 11.5% of India's 1.3 billion people. Despite being the world's most famous producer of vaccines, the country is suffering an internal shortage and has placed a temporary hold on all exports of AstraZeneca to meet domestic demand. More than 13 million people aged 18-45 have registered for the jab, but states including central Madhya Pradesh and hard-hit Maharashtra have said they will not start vaccinating this age group on 1 May as planned due to supply problems. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked individuals not to queue up for injections as the Indian capital had not yet received any more doses. "As soon as vaccines arrive we will let you know, then you can come for shots. We appeal to you not to push vaccine centres in the next few days," Mr Kejriwal said. "Many across the country have registered for vaccines but we have not received stocks. We are in regular touch with companies and we hope to get the vaccines in a day or two." Delhi Chief Minister stated. Since the pandemic began, India has established more than 18 million cases and over 200,000 deaths. It has the second-highest number of Covid-19 diseases in the world after the United States.