Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 17th April, Saturday asked health ministers of all states and Union territories to shift the focus on large containment now as the previous peak of the Covid-19 pandemic has been left behind and the situation is worsening every day. Assuring all states of adequate and unhindered supply of vaccines, the minister said a change in the containment strategy may yield results.
“We can now focus on bigger containment zones which can be called community quarantine to change the strategy,” the minister said as he addressed state health ministers through a video conference.
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh have flagged the issue of vaccine scarcity in recent times, the health minister said till now, the Centre has supplied 14.15 crore doses to all states and UTs, out of which about 12.57 crore doses have been consumed. Another batch of 1.58 crore doses will be reaching the states in one week, the health minister said. “I am quoting these numbers so that there is no misconception about vaccine availability. I am giving you all the numbers,” Vardhan said.
Clarifying how the Centre supplies vaccines to the states, the minister said that large states get 4 days’ supply together while for smaller states, it is seven day’s supply. “So either on every 4th day or every 7th day, vaccines are being supplied.”
The Covid-19 situation in the country is worsening amid reports of shortage of vaccines, medical oxygen, hospital beds. On Saturday, the BKC jumbo Covid-19 vaccination centre was shut temporarily owing to the shortage of vaccines. This meeting was important to address concerns, suggest pathways to handle situations & reassure all adequate supply of vaccines.
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Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan holds a VC with Health Ministers of 11 states to review the #COVID19 situation & actions being taken to address rising cases in the country.@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA https://t.co/moLgJ564Yu
— DrHarshVardhanOffice (@DrHVoffice) April 17, 2021
