India expands faltering Covid-19 vaccine drive as new cases soar
Reports more than 400,000 new cases in 24 hours SAMAA | AFP - Posted: May 1, 2021 | Last Updated: 7 hours ago SAMAA | AFP Posted: May 1, 2021 | Last Updated: 7 hours ago
Health workers wearing a personal protective equipment (PPE) suits attend patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a Covid-19 coronavirus ward in New Delhi on May 1, 2021. Photo: AFP
India’s devastating Covid-19 surge further accelerated on Saturday with more than 400,000 new cases in 24 hours, as vaccinations opened to all adults despite shortages of shots.
The hard-hit capital New Delhi meanwhile extended its
shutdown for another week while top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said that
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India s devastating COVID-19 surge further accelerated on Saturday with more than 400,000 new cases in 24 hours, as vaccinations opened to all adults despite shortages of shots.
Two months ago the health minister said India was in the end game of the pandemic as it sent millions of vaccines abroad, but now exports have stopped and people are desperate to be inoculated.
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A crowd of around 100 people formed outside one Delhi hospital on Saturday - one of very few offering shots to those under 45 years old. There are so many people that are getting sick. so we just wanted to be here as soon as possible, one of those waiting, Aadya Mehta, 25, told AFP.
Thousands of people queued up outside Covid vaccination centres in the city on Friday. Many had their second doses scheduled in the next four-five days. They queued up on Friday fearing that doses would become even scarcer later.
Private hospitals have had to return all their vaccine stock to the government. They will have to procure fresh stocks from the manufacturers at new rates from May 1. The change has led to a situation where private facilities may not have any doses to offer at least for the next few days.
Metro tried to find answers to questions that are haunting potential vaccine recipients.
Most states look unlikely to be able to start vaccinations for those above 18 on 1 May given a shortage of vaccine doses and manufactures not committing to sending supplies on time.
Standalone hospitals may lack the heft to procure vaccine doses for themselves.
Kolkata:
West Bengal s private hospitals are increasingly worried about the phase III Covid vaccination drive beginning May 1. They have been asked to procure the doses directly from manufacturers and return to the government any remaining stocks after April 30.
If they fail to procure fresh stocks from the vaccine-makers and are forced to stop the process of vaccination, that has to be communicated to citizens through a public notice to avoid harassment , a government advisory dated April 26 has said. I would request you to immediately take up the matter with the relevant vaccine manufacturers.The state government shall continue to offer any facilitation as may be required for the purpose, the advisory said.