Coronavirus | Problem not of COVID vaccine shortage but of planning, says government

Over 1.67 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are nonetheless out there with states and UTs, the Centre stated on Tuesday, underlining that the issue is not of vaccine shortage but of higher planning.

Addressing a press convention, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated to this point states and UTs have obtained 13,10,90,370 vaccine doses, out of which the entire consumption, together with wastage, has been 11,43,69,677.

“As per 11 am data, unutilised doses available with states and union territories for administration is 1,67,20,693. From now till April end, 2,01,22,960 doses are in supply pipeline to states and UTs,” he stated.

“This clearly shows that the problem is of lack of better planning, not of vaccine doses shortage. We have made available vaccine doses to states and UTs from time to time and as we told you earlier that to bigger states we give supply of four days at once and on fourth and fifth day we replenish the supply. For smaller states, at once we supply 7-8 days vaccine doses and on seventh or eighth day their supply is replenished,” he added.

Mr. Bhushan stated every state government wants to establish at chilly chain factors what number of unutilised doses are mendacity and if mandatory then from one chilly chain level to nother the doses must be reappropriated primarily based on the consumption patterns.

“In any state, the case might be that in one district more consumption is taking place while in another there is less consumption. Our request to state governments to ascertain where the doses can be reappropriated from,” he added.

Mr. Bhushan additionally stated Kerala has zero wastage of vaccine doses whereas alternatively there are States that are registering 8-9 per cent wastage.

Giving particulars of coronavirus scenario within the nation, Mr. Bhushan stated the earlier highest surge has already been crossed and the pattern goes upward and that may be a trigger for fear and that’s one thing they repeatedly share with the states and UTs and attempt to assist them deal with the pandemic in a simpler method.

“The previous highest surge was 94,372 daily cases in September which is now 1,61,736 every day. There are 53 central teams which are camping in 53 districts of the country which are showing a surge in cases and these central teams are helping the district administration as well the state administration, particularly health department and revenue officials, in tackling the pandemic,” he added.

The day by day deaths are additionally exhibiting an rising pattern. But the earlier surge was 1,104 and it’s presently 879 deaths.

He stated Maharashtra, UP, Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat are amongst states of concern.

NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul stated a critical scenario is rising. While the scenario is worse in some states it’s a countrywide downside and there must be continued give attention to take a look at, monitor, hint and deal with technique and following COVID applicable behaviour in addition to embracing the vaccine, he stated.

“Everyone should wear a mask,” he stated.

Amid reviews of shortage of remdesivir, he stated the drug is to be given solely to hospitalised, critical sufferers and people on oxygen help, and there’s no query of its use in dwelling setting and it’s not to be procured from chemist outlets.

“As shortage of remdesivir was reported in some areas, its export was banned. This medicine is now available in plenty. We appeal to physicians to do rational, judicious use of remdesivir in hospitalised patients,” he stated.

Mr. Paul additionally pressured on embracing Ayush merchandise for enhancing immunity.