New Delhi (NVI): Nearly 1.92 crore free COVID vaccines will be provided to the states and UTs from May 16 to 31, the Health Ministry said today.
“During the 16th-31st May 2021 fortnight, 191.99 lakh doses of Covishield and Covaxin will be supplied to the States and UTs, free of cost. This will include 162.5 lakh of Covishield and 29.49 lakh of Covaxin,” it said in a statement.
The basic objective behind informing the States and UTs in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Govt of India for 15 days is to ensure that they prepare effective plans for judicious and optimum utilisation of these free vaccine doses which are meant for the age group 45 and above, and for HCWs and FLWs, it said.
The delivery schedule for this allocation will be shared in advance. States have been requested to direct the concerned officials to ensure rational and judicious utilization of allocated doses and minimize the vaccine wastage.
The allocation of Govt. of India supplies to the State and UTs is decided on the consumption pattern and beneficiary load for 2nd doses during the upcoming fortnight, the statement said.
In the previous fortnight i.e. 1st-15th May, 2021, a total quantum of more than 1.7 crore vaccine doses has been made available by the Union Government to States, free of cost, it said.
In addition, a total quantum of more than 4.39 crore doses was also available for direct procurement by the States as well as private hospitals in the month of May 2021, the statement read.
