Vaccination for those between 18-44 will be temporarily halted in govt centres in the State

Bengaluru: On Wednesday, the Karnataka government declared that it will temporarily halt the vaccination drive for those between the 18-44 age group in all government centres starting from May 14. This is done to give priority to the vaccination of those above 45 years of age who are yet to take their second dose.

A statement by the Karnataka health department stated, “All vaccines available with the state government (supplied by Government of India and procured directly by State) will be utilized for vaccination of beneficiaries due for 2nd dose. In this regard vaccination for the 18 to 44 age group (including those who have already booked appointments) 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.”

The statement added, “The state government on 07.05.2021 decided to utilize the complete supply of vaccines provided by Government of India for vaccination of persons above 45+ years, for vaccinating beneficiaries who were due for the second dose. Today the state government has decided that the vaccine procured directly by the state for vaccination of persons between 18 to 44 years will be utilized for vaccination of beneficiaries who are due for the second dose.”

According to the health bulletin, 70,371 people in the 18-44 age group received their first dose on May 12. This is inclusive of 20,599 people in Bengaluru.

The drive for those above 18 years of age had started earlier this month. However, the 3 crore doses that the government had placed an order for could take months to arrive.

Bengaluru urban remains a major hotspot in the second wave. The city presently has 3.6 lakh active cases and has reported 16,386 cases on Wednesday. However, this is lower than the cases witnessed up to last week in the city which was over 20,000 on a daily basis.